Optical resin film and polarizing film and liquid crystal display device using the same

ABSTRACT

An optical resin film, which has Re (λ) and Rth (λ) satisfying retardation requirements (A) to (D), and has a thickness of from 30 μm to 80 μm: (A) 0.1&lt;Re (450)/Re (550)&lt;0.95 (B) 1.03&lt;Re (650)/Re (550)&lt;1.93 (C) 0.4&lt;(Re/Rth (450))/(Re/Rth (550)))&lt;0.95 (D) 1.05&lt;(Re/Rth (650)/(Re/Rth (550))&lt;1.9, and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device using the optical resin film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical resin film and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device comprising same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid crystal display devices have been widely used for monitor for personal computer and cellular phone, television, etc. because they are advantageous in that they can operate at low voltage with low power consumption and are available in small size and thickness. These liquid crystal display devices have been proposed in various modes depending on the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal cell. To date, TN mode, in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned twisted at about 90 degrees from the lower substrate to the upper substrate of the liquid crystal cell, has been a mainstream.

A liquid crystal display device normally comprises a liquid crystal cell, an optical compensation sheet and a polarizer. The optical compensation sheet is used to eliminate undesirable coloring of image or expand the viewing angle. As such an optical compensation sheet there is used a stretched birefringent film or a transparent film coated with a liquid crystal. For example, Japanese Patent 3,027,805 discloses a technique for the expansion of the viewing angle involving the application to a TN mode liquid crystal cell of an optical compensation sheet obtained by spreading a discotic liquid crystal over a triacetyl cellulose film, and then orienting and fixing the coat layer. However, liquid crystal display devices for TV use which are supposed to give a wide screen image that can be viewed at various angles have severe requirements for dependence on viewing angle. These requirements cannot be met even by the aforementioned approach. To this end, liquid crystal display devices of modes different from TN mode, including IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode, OCB (Optically Compensatory Bend) mode, VA (Vertically Aligned) mode, have been under study. In particular, VA mode has been noted as liquid crystal display device for TV use because it gives a high contrast image and can be produced in a relatively high yield.

Despite its capability of attaining substantially full black display in the direction along the line normal to panel, VA mode liquid crystal display devices have been disadvantageous in that when the panel is viewed in oblique direction, light leakage occurs, causing the reduction of viewing angle. In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed that a first retardation plate having a positive refractive anisotropy nx>ny=nz and a second retardation plate having a negative refractive anisotropy nx=ny>nz be used in combination to eliminate light leakage (as disclosed in Japanese Patent 3,027,805). It has also been proposed that an optically biaxial retardation plate having a refractive anisotropy nx>ny>nz be used to enhance the viewing angle properties of VA mode liquid crystal display device (as disclosed in Japanese Patent 3,330,574). The symbols nx, ny and nz represent the refractive index of the aforementioned retardation plate in X axis direction, Y axis direction and Z axis direction, respectively. The aforementioned X axis direction is an axis direction along which the aforementioned retardation plate shows the maximum refractive index in the in-plane direction. The aforementioned Y axis direction is an axis direction perpendicular to the aforementioned X axis direction in the aforementioned plane. The aforementioned Z axis direction indicates the thickness direction perpendicular to the aforementioned X axis direction and the aforementioned Y axis direction.

On the other hand, with the recent growing demand for liquid crystal television, various liquid crystal systems, including IPS and PCB modes, have shown improvements in display system (JP-A-9-211444, JP-A-11-316378, JP-A-2003-15134, JP-A-11-95208 and JP-A-10-54982).

However, these approaches merely allow the elimination of light leakage with respect to a certain wavelength range (e.g., green light in the vicinity of 550 nm) but don't take into account light leakage in other wavelength ranges (e.g., blue light in the vicinity of 450 nm, red light in the vicinity of 650 nm). Accordingly, these approaches leave something to be desired in the solution to so-called color shift, that is, coloration with blue or red developed when viewed obliquely during black display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been worked out under these circumstances. An aim of the invention is to provide an optical resin film which exhibits a high contrast ratio over a wide range and can inhibit color shift and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device comprising same.

These aims are accomplished by the following constitutions.

(1) An optical resin film, which has Re (λ) and Rth (λ) satisfying retardation requirements (A) to (D), and has a thickness of from 30 μm to 80 μm:

(A) 0.1<Re (450)/Re (550)<0.95

(B) 1.03<Re (650)/Re (550)<1.93

(C) 0.4<(Re/Rth (450))/(Re/Rth (550)))<0.95

(D) 1.05<(Re/Rth (650)/(Re/Rth (550))<1.9

wherein Re (λ) represents an in-plane retardation value of the optical resin film with respect to light having a wavelength of λ nm;

Rth (λ) represents a thickness direction retardation value of the optical resin film with respect to light having a wavelength of λ nm; and

Re/Rth (λ) represents a ratio of an in-plane retardation value to a thickness direction retardation value of the optical resin film with respect to light having a wavelength of λ nm (unit: nm).

(2) The optical resin film as described in (1) above, which comprises a cellulose acylate film.

(3) The optical resin film as described in (1) or (2) above, which comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of plasticizer, ultraviolet absorber, peel accelerator, dye and matting agent.

(4) The optical resin film as described in any of (1) to (3) above, which comprises at least one retardation developer comprising a rod-shaped compound or a discotic compound.

(5) A polarizing plate comprising:

a polarizer having a polyvinyl alcohol; and

at least two protective films provided on both sides of the polarizer,

wherein at least one of the at least two protective films is an optical resin film as described in any of (1) to (4) above.

(6) The polarizing plate as described in (5) above, which further comprises at least one layer selected from the group consisting of a hard coat layer, an anti-glare layer and an anti-reflection layer provided on a surface of one of the at least two protective films.

(7) The polarizing plate as described in (5) or (6) above, which further comprises an optically anisotropic layer provided on at least one of the at least two protective films.

(8) A liquid crystal display device comprising a polarizing plate as described in any of (5) to (7) above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a related art VA mode liquid crystal display device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a related art VA mode liquid crystal display device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the optical properties of an example of the optically compensatory film to be used in the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of Poincare sphere used to explain the change of polarization of light incident on a liquid crystal display device of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of Poincare sphere used to explain the change of polarization of light incident on an example of a related art liquid crystal display device;

FIG. 7 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the sectional structure of an example of the polarizing plate of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the sectional structure of another example of the polarizing plate of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the liquid crystal display device of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the liquid crystal display device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The effect of the invention will be described in connection with the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the configuration of an ordinary VA mode liquid crystal display device. A VA mode liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal cell 3 having a liquid crystal layer which causes liquid crystal molecules to align vertically with respect to the surface of the substrate when no voltage is applied thereto, i.e., during black display and polarizing plates 1 and 2 aligned with the liquid crystal cell 3 interposed therebetween and their transmission axes (shown by the stripes in FIG. 1) disposed perpendicular to each other. In FIG. 1, light is incident on the liquid crystal display device on the polarizing plate 1 side thereof. When light propagating in the direction normal to the surface of the polarizing plate 1, i.e., z axis direction is incident on the liquid crystal display device, the light beam transmitted by the polarizing plate 1 passes through the liquid crystal cell 3 while being linearly polarized, and then is fully blocked by the polarizing plate 2. As a result, an image having a high contrast can be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 2, however, oblique incidence of light behaves unlike the normal incidence. Light which is incident on the liquid crystal display device in an oblique direction which is not z axis direction, i.e., direction oblique to the polarizing direction of the polarizing plates 1 and 2 (so-called OFF AXIS), is affected by an oblique retardation to show a change of polarization when it is transmitted by the vertically aligned liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal cell 3. Further, the apparent transmission axis of the polarizing plates 1 and 2 are deviated from perpendicular alignment. Due to the two causes, light incident in the oblique direction in OFF AXIS cannot be fully blocked by the polarizing plate 2, causing light leakage during black display and hence contrast drop.

The polar angle and the azimuthal angle will be defined as follows. The polar angle is the angle of tilt from the direction normal to the surface of the film, i.e., z axis in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the direction normal to the surface of the film has a polar angle of 0°. The azimuthal angle indicates the direction of the line rotated clockwise from the positive direction of x axis. For example, the positive direction of x axis has an azimuthal angle of 0°. The positive direction of y axis has an azimuthal direction of 90°. The aforementioned oblique directions in OFF AXIS mainly include those having a polar angle which is not 0° and an azimuthal angle of 45°, 135°, 225° and 315°.

FIG. 3 depicts a diagrammatic view of an example of configuration for illustrating the effect of the invention. The configuration of FIG. 3 is the same as that of FIG. 1 except that an optical resin film (hereinafter also referred to as “optically compensatory film”) 4 is provided interposed between the liquid crystal cell 3 and the polarizing plate 1. As previously mentioned, the optically compensatory film 4 satisfies the following relationships:

(A) 0.1<Re (450)/Re (550)<0.95

(B) 1.03<Re (650)/Re (550)<1.93

(C) 0.4<(Re/Rth (450))/(Re/Rth (550)))<0.95

(D) 1.05<(Re/Rth (650)/(Re/Rth (550))<1.9

In accordance with the invention, the use of an optically compensatory film having the aforementioned optical properties makes it possible to optically compensate R, G and B light which are incident obliquely with slow axis and retardation which vary with wavelength. As a result, as compared with the related art liquid crystal display devices, the viewing angle contrast during black display can be drastically improved and the coloration in the viewing direction during black display can be drastically eliminated. In the specification, the wavelength of R, G and B light are 650 nm, 550 nm and 450 nm, respectively. The wavelength of R, G and B light are not necessarily represented by these values. However, these wavelength values are thought to be suitable for the definition of optical properties by which the effect of the invention can be exerted.

In the invention, Re/Rth, which is the ratio of Re to Rth, is particularly noted. This is because the value of Re/Rth determines the two intrinsic polarizing axes along which light propagates through a biaxial birefringent medium in oblique direction. FIG. 4 depicts an example of the result of calculation of the relationship between the direction of one of the two intrinsic polarizing axes and Re/Rth developed when light is obliquely incident on the optically compensatory film to be used in the invention. In this calculation, it is supposed that the direction of propagation of light is at an azimuthal angle of 45° and a polar angle of 34°. As can be seen in the results shown in FIG. 4, once Re/Rth is determined, one of the intrinsic polarizing axes is determined. How the incident light changes in its polarization as it passes through the optically compensatory film is mainly determined by the orientation of the in-plane slow axis of the optically compensatory film and the retardation of the optically compensatory film. In the invention, Re/Rth relationship is defined for R, G and B wavelengths to optimize both the in-plane slow axis and retardation, which are factors that mainly determine the change of polarization, for R, G and B wavelengths. As a result, even when there are two factors, i.e., effect of oblique retardation of liquid crystal layer on obliquely incident light and deviation of apparent transmission axis of polarizing plates 1 and 2, complete compensation by one optically compensatory film is allowed, making it possible to eliminate contrast drop. This means that when the parameter of the film is determined with R, G and B representing all the visible light ranges, substantially complete compensation can be made over the entire visible light range.

A VA mode liquid crystal display device has its liquid crystal molecules vertically aligned when no voltage is applied thereto, i.e., during black display. Accordingly, it is preferred that the in-plane slow axis of the optically compensatory film 4 be disposed perpendicular or parallel to the polarizing plate 1 or the polarizing plate 2 so that the polarization of light incident in the direction along the normal line cannot be affected by the retardation of the optically compensatory film 4 during black display. An optically compensatory film may be provided also between the polarizing plate 2 and the liquid crystal cell 3. In this case, too, the in-plane slow axis of the optically compensatory film is preferably disposed perpendicular or parallel to the polarizing plate 1 or the polarizing plate 2.

FIG. 5 depicts a diagram illustrating the compensating mechanism in the configuration of FIG. 3 using a Poincare sphere. In this diagram, the propagation of light is at an azimuthal angle of 45° and a polar angle of 34°. In FIG. 5, S2 axis is an axis extending in the direction perpendicular to paper as viewed on the drawing. FIG. 5 is a diagram of Poincare sphere as viewed from the positive side of S2 axis. Since FIG. 5 is shown two-dimensionally, the displacement of points due to the change of polarization is represented by the straight line arrow in the drawing. Actually, the change of polarization developed when light passes through the liquid crystal layer or optically compensatory film is represented by the rotation around a specific axis determined according to respective optical properties at a specific angle on Poincare sphere.

The polarization of incident light passing through the polarizing plate 1 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the point (i) in FIG. 5. The polarization of light blocked by the absorption axis of the polarizing plate 2 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the point (ii) in FIG. 5. In a related art VA mode liquid crystal display device, OFF AXIS light leakage in oblique direction is attributed to the deviation of these points (i) and (ii). An optically compensatory film is normally used to cause the polarization of incident light to change from the point (i) to the point (ii), including the change of polarization in the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal cell 3 exhibits a positive refractive anisotropy and is vertically aligned. Accordingly, the change of polarization of incident light developed when light passes through the liquid crystal layer is shown by the arrow extending downward in FIG. 5 and is represented by the rotation around S1 axis. Accordingly, in order that the visible light which has passed through the liquid crystal layer might be fully blocked by the polarizing plate 2, the starting point of rotation must be on the line developed by the rotation of the point (ii) around S1 axis for each of R, G and B. Further, since the angle of rotation is proportional to the value Δn′d′/λ obtained by dividing the effective retardation Δn′d′ of the liquid crystal layer in oblique direction by wavelength, the angle of rotation is not the same at the various wavelength ranges R, G and B. Accordingly, in order that all the polarization of R, G and B might reach the point (ii) after rotation, it is necessary that the polarization of R, G and B before rotation be on the line developed by the rotation of the point (ii) around S1 axis according to the respective angle of rotation as shown in FIG. 5. In the invention, in order that the polarization of R, G and B light which has passed through the optically compensatory film 4 and been ready to pass through the liquid crystal cell 3 might be as mentioned above, an optically compensatory film arranged such that Re/Rth of R, G and B satisfy a predetermined relationship is provided to effect optical compensation.

On the other hand, an example of the related art configuration is similarly shown in FIG. 6. The example shown in FIG. 6 concerns the use of an optically compensatory film having a constant Re/Rth with respect to wavelength. In this case, even when the optical properties of the optically compensatory film on G light is adjusted such that the starting point of rotation by the liquid crystal layer is on the line developed by the rotation of the point (ii) around S1 axis, the starting point of rotation for R and B light cannot be disposed on the same line. Accordingly, R and B light which have passed through the liquid crystal layer cannot change with the polarization of the point (ii) and thus cannot be fully blocked by the absorption axis of the polarizing plate. As a result, the leakage of R and B light occurs, causing color shift during black display. Even when an optically compensatory film optimized only for R and B light is used, similar troubles can occur.

The invention is characterized by the provision of a film with optical properties that the wavelength dispersion of retardation differs from light incident in the direction along the normal line to light incident in oblique direction, e.g., at a polar angle of 60° and the positive use of such a film in optical compensation. The scope of the invention is not limited to the display mode of liquid crystal layer. The invention can be used for liquid crystal display devices having a liquid crystal layer of any display mode such as VA, IPS, ECB, TN and OCB modes.

The optical resin film (optically compensatory film) of the invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to their optical properties, raw materials, production methods, etc.

In the case where the numerical value indicates physical property value, characteristic value or the like, the term “(numerical value 1) to (numerical value 2)” as used herein is meant to indicate “not smaller than (numerical value 1) to not greater than (numerical value 2)”. Further, the term “(meth)acrylate” as used herein is meant to indicate “at least any of acrylate and methacrylate”. This can apply to “(meth)acrylic acid”, etc.

[Optically Compensatory Film]

The optically compensatory film of the invention contributes to expand the viewing angle contrast of liquid crystal display devices, particularly of VA mode, and eliminate color difference of these liquid crystal display devices dependent on the viewing angle. The optically compensatory film of the invention may be disposed either or both in between the viewer side polarizing plate and liquid crystal cell and in between the back side polarizing plate and liquid crystal cell. For example, the optically compensatory film of the invention may be incorporated as an independent member in the interior of the liquid crystal display device. Alternatively, the protective film for protecting the polarizing film in the optically compensatory film may be provided with optical properties so that the optically compensatory film can act also as a transparent film that is incorporated in the interior of liquid crystal display device as a member of the polarizing plate.

The in-plane retardation (Re) and the thickness-direction retardation (Rth) of the optically compensatory film of the invention are defined respectively by the following equations wherein d₁ is the thickness (μm) of the optically compensatory film, nx and ny each are the main average in-plane refractive index of the optically compensatory film (with the proviso that ny is smaller than nx) and nz is the main average thickness refractive index of the optically compensatory film. Re=(nx−ny)×d ₁ Rth=((nx+ny)/2−nz)×d ₁

As mentioned above, the optically compensatory film of the invention satisfies the following relationships:

(A) 0.1<Re (450)/Re (550)<0.95;

(B) 1.03<Re (650)/Re (550)<1.93;

(C) 0.4<(Re/Rth (450))/(Re/Rth (550)))<0.95; and

(D) 1.05<(Re/Rth (650)/(Re/Rth (550))<1.9, more preferably

(A) 0.3<Re (450)/Re (550)<0.9

(B) 1.05<Re (650)/Re (550)<1.8

(C) 0.6<(Re/Rth (450))/(Re/Rth (550)))<0.8

(D) 1.2<(Re/Rth (650)/(Re/Rth (550))<1.7

Re/Rth in R, G and B each preferably fall within a range of from 0.1 to 0.8.

The thickness-direction retardation (Rth) of the entire optically compensatory film is preferably predetermined to cancel the retardation of the liquid crystal layer. Accordingly, the preferred range of the thickness-direction retardation (Rth) of the entire optically compensatory film varies with the embodiment of the various liquid crystal layers. For example, in the case where the optically compensatory film of the invention is used for the optical compensation of a VA mode liquid crystal cell (e.g., VA mode liquid crystal cell having a product Δn·d of from 0.2 μm to 1.0 μm wherein d is the thickness of the liquid crystal cell (μm) and Δn is the refractive anisotropy of the liquid crystal cell), the thickness-direction retardation (Rth) of the entire optically compensatory film is preferably from 70 nm to 400 nm, more preferably from 100 nm to 400 nm, even more preferably from 100 nm to 300 nm. Re retardation value of the optically compensatory film is not specifically limited but is normally from 20 nm to 150 nm, preferably from 20 nm to 70 nm, more preferably from 30 nm to 70 nm.

In the invention, the material of the optically compensatory film is not specifically limited. For example, the optically compensatory film may be a stretched birefringent polymer film or an optically anisotropic layer formed by fixing a liquid crystal compound specifically aligned. Further, the optically compensatory film is not limited to single layer structure and may have a laminated structure having a plurality of layers laminated on each other. In the embodiment of laminated structure, the material of the various layers may not be the same. For example, a laminate of a polymer film with an optically anisotropic layer made of a liquid crystal compound may be used.

In the case where a liquid crystal compound is used to prepare the aforementioned optically compensatory film, the optically anisotropic layer prepared by fixing a liquid crystal compound specifically aligned exhibits desired optical properties when used in the form of single layer or a laminate of a plurality of layers because the liquid crystal compound has various alignment embodiments. In some detail, the aforementioned optically compensatory film may be in a form having a support and one or more optically anisotropic layers formed on the support. The retardation of this form of an optically compensatory film as a whole can be adjusted by the optical anisotropy of the optically anisotropic layer. Liquid crystal compounds can be classified as rod-shaped liquid crystal compound and discotic liquid crystal compound by the shape of the molecule. These liquid crystal compounds each are of low molecular type or polymer type. Any of these types of liquid crystal compounds may be used. In the case where a liquid crystal compound is used to prepare the aforementioned optically compensatory film, a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound or discotic liquid crystal compound is preferably used. More preferably, a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group or a discotic liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group is used.

The optically compensatory film may be made of a polymer film. The polymer film may be a stretched polymer film. As the material of the polymer film there is normally used a synthetic polymer (e.g., polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, norbornene resin, triacetyl cellulose). A cellulose acylate-based film obtained by film-forming a composition having a rod-shaped compound having an aromatic ring (that is, aromatic compound having two aromatic rings) incorporated in cellulose acylate is also preferred. By properly adjusting the kind and added amount of the aromatic compound and the film stretching conditions, a polymer film having desired optical properties can be prepared.

(Thickness of Film)

The thickness of the film of the invention is from 30 μm to 80 μm. As a result of extensive studies, it was found that when the thickness of the film is predetermined to fall within the range defined herein, the effect of eliminating color shift and the contrast can be improved stably in various environments. This is presumably because the definition of the thickness of the film itself makes it possible to concurrently inhibit the expansion/shrinkage of the film in various environments. The thickness of the film is preferably from 40 μm to 80 μm, more preferably from 40 μm to 70 μm.

(Retardation Distribution)

In the invention, the coefficient of variation of crosswise in-plane retardation (Re) of the optically compensatory film is preferably 5% or less, more preferably 3% or less, even more preferably 2% or less. The coefficient of variation of thickness-direction retardation (Rth) of the optically compensatory film is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 8% or less, even more preferably 5% or less.

The aforementioned value of retardation distribution is represented by the coefficient of variation of retardation values measured at a crosswise interval of 1 cm on the film obtained.

(Method for Measuring Retardation)

Using a Type KOBRA21ADH automatic birefringence meter (produced by Ouji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.), the film sample was measured for three-dimensional birefringence at a crosswise interval of 1 cm at a wavelength of 590 nm in an atmosphere of 25° C. and 60% RH. Re and Rth thus measured were then subjected to calculation by the following equation to determine coefficient of variation (CV). Coefficient of variation (CV)=Standard deviation/average retardation×100 (Wavelength Dispersion Properties)

Using a Type KOBRA21ADH automatic birefringence meter (produced by Ouji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.), the film sample was measured for three-dimensional birefringence at a wavelength of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm in an atmosphere of 25° C. and 60% RH. The retardation value s thus obtained were used as Re (450), Re (550) and Re (650), respectively.

The raw materials of the optical resin film of the invention, the production methods of the optical resin film of the invention, the polarizing plate and liquid crystal display device comprising same, etc. will be described hereinafter with reference mainly to the case where a cellulose acylate is used, but the invention is not limited to cellulose acylate.

[Polymer Employable in the Film of the Invention]

(Cellulose Acylate)

The cellulose acylate useful in the invention will be described hereinafter.

The β-1,4-bonded glucose unit constituting cellulose has a free hydroxyl group in the 2-, 3- and 6-positions. The cellulose acylate is a polymer obtained by esterifying some or whole of these hydroxyl groups by acyl group having two or more carbon atoms. The degree of substitution by acyl group means the percent esterification of hydroxyl group in cellulose in each of 2-, 3- and 6-positions (100% esterification means substitution degree of 1).

The total degree of substitution, i.e., DS2+DS3+DS6 is preferably from 2.00 to 3.00, more preferably from 2.20 to 2.90, particularly preferably from 2.40 to 2.82. Further, DS6/(DS2+DS3+DS6) is preferably 0.315 or more, particularly preferably 0.32 or more, most preferably 0.325 or more.

DS2 is the degree of substitution of hydroxyl group in the 2-position of glucose unit by acyl group (hereinafter occasionally referred to as “2-position substitution degree”), DS3 is the degree of substitution of hydroxyl group in the 3-position of glucose unit by acyl group (hereinafter occasionally referred to as “3-position substitution degree”) and DS6 is the degree of substitution of hydroxyl group in the 6-position of glucose unit by acyl group (hereinafter occasionally referred to as “6-position substitution degree”).

The number of acyl groups to be incorporated in the cellulose acylate of the invention may be only one or two or more. When two or more acyl groups are used, one of the acyl groups is preferably an acetyl group. Supposing that the sum of the degree of substitution of hydroxyl group in the 2-position, 3-position and 6-position by acetyl group is A, the sum of the degree of substitution of hydroxyl group in the 2-position, 3-position and 6-position by propionyl group is B and the sum of the degree of substitution of hydroxyl group in the 2-position, 3-position and 6-position by butyryl group is C, A is preferably from 1.60 to 2.0, more preferably from 1.7 to 1.9. The sum (B+C) is preferably from 0.60 to 0.80, more preferably from 0.65 to 0.75.

For the measurement of the degree of substitution by acetyl group, propionyl group and/or butyl group, ASTM: D-817-96 (method for testing cellulose acetate, etc.) may be employed. The measurements are then subjected to calculation.

For the determination of the amount of hydroxyl groups left unsubstituted in the 2-, 3- and 6-positions in the cellulose acylate, the hydroxyl groups left unsubstituted in the cellulose acylate are substituted by acyl group. The cellulose acylate thus substituted is then subjected to ¹³C-NMR. For the details of measurement method, reference can be made to Teduka et al, “Carbohydr. Res.”, 273 (1995), p. 83-91.

(Method of Synthesizing Cellulose Acylate)

A basic principle of the method of synthesizing cellulose acylate is described in Migita et al, “Mokuzai Kagaku (Wood Chemistry)”, pp. 180-190, Kyoritsu Shuppan, 1968. A typical synthesis method involves liquid phase acetylation in the presence of a carboxylic anhydride-acetic acid-sulfuric acid catalyst.

In order to obtain the aforementioned cellulose acylate, a cellulose material such as cotton linter and wood pulp is pretreated with a proper amount of acetic acid, and then put in a carboxylated mixture which has been previously cooled to undergo esterification to synthesize a complete cellulose acylate (the sum of degrees of substitution by acyl in the 2-, 3- and 6-positions is almost 3.00). The aforementioned carboxylated mixture normally comprises acetic acid as a solvent, carboxylic anhydride as an esterifying agent and sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The carboxylic anhydride is normally used stoichiometrically in excess of the sum of the amount of cellulose reacting with the carboxylic anhydride and water content present in the system. The termination of the esterification reaction is followed by the addition of an aqueous solution of a neutralizing agent (e.g., carbonate, acetate or oxide of calcium, magnesium, iron, aluminum or zinc) for the purpose of hydrolyzing excessive carboxylic anhydride left in the system and neutralizing part of the esterification catalyst. Subsequently, the complete cellulose acylate thus obtained is kept at a temperature of from 50 to 90° C. in the presence of a small amount of an acetylation reaction catalyst (normally remaining sulfuric acid) to undergo saponification ripening that causes the conversion to cellulose acylate having a desired acyl substitution degree and polymerization degree. At the time when such a desired cellulose acylate is obtained, the catalyst remaining in the system is completely neutralized with a neutralizing agent mentioned above or the cellulose acylate solution is put in water or diluted sulfuric acid without being neutralized (alternatively, water or diluted sulfuric acid is put in the cellulose acylate solution) to separate the cellulose acylate which is then washed and stabilized or otherwise processed to obtain the aforementioned specific cellulose acylate.

In the aforementioned cellulose acylate film, the polymer component constituting the film is preferably made substantially of the aforementioned specific cellulose acylate. The “substantially” as used herein is meant to indicate 55% or more (preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more) of the polymer component.

The aforementioned cellulose acylate is preferably used in particulate form. 90% by mass or more of the particles used preferably have a particle diameter of from 0.5 to 5 mm. Further, 50% by mass or more of the particles used preferably have a particle diameter of from 1 to 4 mm. The particulate cellulose acylate preferably is in a form as much as close to sphere. (In this specification, mass ratio is equal to weight ratio.)

The polymerization degree of cellulose acylate which is preferably used in the invention is preferably from 200 to 700, more preferably from 250 to 550, even more preferably from 250 to 400, particularly from 250 to 350 as calculated in terms of viscosity-average polymerization degree. The average polymerization degree can be measured by an intrinsic viscosity method proposed by Uda et al (Kazuo Uda, Hideo Saito, “Seni Gakkaishi (JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF FIBER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, JAPAN)”, No. 1, Vol. 18, pp. 105-120, 1962). For more details, reference can be made to JP-A-9-95538.

When low molecular components are removed, the resulting cellulose acylate has a raised average molecular weight (polymerization degree). However, the viscosity of the cellulose acylate is lower than that of ordinary acylates. Thus, as the aforementioned cellulose acylate, those freed of low molecular components are useful. Cellulose acylates having a small content of low molecular components can be obtained by removing low molecular components from cellulose acylates which have been synthesized by an ordinary method. The removal of the low molecular components can be carried out by washing the cellulose acylate with a proper organic solvent. In order to produce the cellulose acylate having a small content of low molecular components, the amount of the sulfuric acid catalyst in the acetylation reaction is preferably adjusted to a range of from 0.5 to 25 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of cellulose acylate. When the amount of the sulfuric acid catalyst falls within the above defined range, a cellulose acylate which is desirable also in the light of molecular weight distribution (uniform molecular weight distribution) can be synthesized. When used in the production of the cellulose acylate, the cellulose acylate preferably has a water content of 2% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or less, particularly 0.7% by mass or less. A cellulose acylate normally contains water and is known to have a water content of from 2.5 to 5% by mass. In order to provide the cellulose acylate with a water content falling within this range in the invention, the cellulose acylate needs to be dried. The drying method is not specifically limited so far as the desired water content is attained.

For the details of cotton as starting material of the aforementioned cellulose acylate and its synthesis method, reference can be made to Kokai Giho No. 2001-1745, Mar. 15, 2001, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, pp. 7-12.

The cellulose acylate film according to the invention can be obtained by filming a solution of the aforementioned cellulose acylate and optionally additives in an organic solvent.

(Polymers Other than Cellulose Acylate)

The polymers employable in the film of the invention are not limited to cellulose acylate. The invention can be applied to all polymers which can be used as optical film. These polymers are expected to exert the same effect as done by cellulose acylate.

Examples of the polymer employable as such an optical film include polycarbonate copolymers and polymer resin having a cyclic olefin structure. Further, when these polymers are used, a film having a good resistance to environmental change can be obtained.

Examples of the polycarbonate copolymers employable herein include a polycarbonate copolymer composed of repeating units represented by the following general formula (A) and repeating units represented by the following general formula (B) wherein the repeating units represented by the general formula (A) account for a range of from 30 to 80 mol-% of the total amount of the repeating units.

In the general formula (A), R₁ to R₈ each independently is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, halogen atom and C₁-C₆ hydrocarbon group. Examples of the C₁-C₆ hydrocarbon group include alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and cyclohexyl, and aryl groups such as phenyl. Preferred among these groups are hydrogen atom and methyl group.

In the general formula (A), X represents the following general formula (X) and R₉ and R₁₀ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or C₁-C₃ alkyl group. Examples of the halogen atom and C₁-C₃ alkyl group include the same groups as exemplified above.

In the formula (B), R₁₁ to R₁₈ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom or C₁-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group. Examples of the C₁-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group include C₁-C₉ alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and cyclohexyl, and aryl groups such as phenyl, biphenyl and terphenyl. Preferred among these groups are hydrogen atom and methyl.

In the formula (B), Y represents a group selected from the group consisting of the following groups in which R₁₉ to R₂₁, R₂₃ and R₂₄ each independently represent at least one group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, halogen atom and C₁-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include the same groups as described above. R₂₂ and R₂₅ each independently represent a C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbon group. Examples of the hydrocarbon group include methyl, ethylene, propylene, butylene, cyclohexylene, phenylene, naphthylene, and terphenylene. Example of Ar₁ to Ar₃ include C₆-C₁₀ aryl groups such as phenyl and naphthyl.

As the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer there is preferably used a polycarbonate copolymer comprising from 30 to 60 mol-% of repeating units represented by the following formula (C) and from 40 to 70 mol-% of repeating units represented by the following formula (D).

More preferably, a polycarbonate copolymer comprising from 45 to 55 mol-% of repeating units represented by the formula (C) and from 45 to 55 mol-% of repeating units represented by the formula (D) is used.

In the formula (C), R₂₆ to R₂₇ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or methyl group, preferably methyl group from the standpoint of handleability.

In the formula (D), R₂₈ to R₂₉ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or methyl group, preferably hydrogen atom from the standpoint of economy, film properties, etc.

As the optical film of the invention there is preferably used one comprising the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer having a fluorene skeleton. The polycarbonate copolymer having a fluorene skeleton is preferably a blend of polycarbonate copolymers having different composition ratios of repeating units represented by the formula (A) and repeating units represented by the formula (B). The percent content of the repeating units of formula (A) is preferably from 30 to 80 mol-%, more preferably from 35 to 75 mol-%, even more preferably from 40 to 70 mol-% of the entire polycarbonate copolymer.

The aforementioned copolymer may be a combination of two or more of repeating units represented by the formula (A) and two or more of repeating units represented by the formula (B).

The aforementioned molar ratio can be determined over the entire polycarbonate bulk constituting the optical film using, e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer.

The aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer can be produced by any known method. The polycarbonate is preferably produced by a method involving the polycondensation of a dihydroxy compound with phosgene, a melt polycondensation method or the like.

The intrinsic viscosity of the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer is preferably from 0.3 to 2.0 dl/g. When the intrinsic viscosity of the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer falls below 0.3, the resulting polycarbonate copolymer becomes so brittle that it cannot maintain its mechanical strength to disadvantage. On the contrary, when the intrinsic viscosity of the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer exceeds 2.0, the resulting solution has too high a viscosity, causing a problem of generation of die line during solution film making or difficulty in purification at the end of polymerization.

The optical film of the invention may be a composition (blend) of the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer with other polymer compounds. In this case, the polymer compounds preferably are compatible with the aforementioned polycarbonate copolymer or these polymers are preferably substantially the same in refractive index because the optical film of the invention needs to be optically transparent. Specific examples of the other polymers include poly(styrene-comaleic anhydride). Referring to the composition ratio of polycarbonate copolymer and polymer compound, the composition ratio of the polycarbonate copolymer is from 30 to 80% by mass, preferably from 40 to 80% by mass, and the composition ratio of the polymer compound is from 20 to 70% by mass, preferably from 20 to 60% by mass. In the case of blend, too, two or more of the repeating units of the polycarbonate copolymer may be provided in combination. The blend is preferably a compatible blend. Even though the components of the blend cannot be completely compatibilized with each other, the refractive index of the components can be combined to inhibit scattering of light from component to component, making it possible to enhance transparency. The blend may comprise three or more materials in combination. A plurality of polycarbonate copolymers and other polymer compounds may be combined with each other.

The mass-average molecular weight of the polycarbonate copolymer is from 1,000 to 1,000,000, preferably from 5,000 to 500,000. The mass-average molecular weight of the other polymer compounds each are from 500 to 100,000, preferably from 1,000 to 50,000.

Examples of the polymer resin having a cyclic olefin structure (hereinafter also referred to as “cyclic polyolefin-based resin” or “cyclic polyolefin”) include (1) norbornene-based resin, (2) polymer of monocyclic olefins, (3) polymer of cyclic conjugated dienes, (4) vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon polymer, and hydrides of polymer resins (1) to (4). Examples of the polymer which is preferably used in the invention include addition (co)polymer cyclic polyolefin containing at least one repeating unit represented by the following formula (b) and addition (co)polymer cyclic polyolefin optionally further containing at least one repeating unit represented by the formula (a). Further, an addition (co)polymer (including ring-opening (co)polymer) containing at least one repeating unit represented by the formula (c)may be used to advantage. Moreover, an addition (co)polymer cyclic polyolefin containing at least one repeating unit represented by the formula (c) and optionally further containing at least one repeating unit represented by the formula (a) may be used to advantage.

In the formulae (a) to (c), m represents an integer of from 0 to 4. R¹ to R⁶ each represent a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₁₀ hydrocarbon group. X¹ to X³ and Y¹ to Y³ each represent a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₁₀ hydrocarbon group, halogen atom, halogen-substituted C₁-C₁₀ hydrocarbon group, —(CH₂)_(n)COOR¹¹, —(CH₂)_(n)OCOR¹², —(CH₂)_(n)NCO, —(CH₂)_(n)NO₂, —(CH₂)_(n)CN, —(CH₂)_(n)CONR¹³R¹⁴, —(CH₂)_(n)NR¹³R¹⁴, —(CH₂)_(n)OZ, —(CH₂)_(n)W or (—CO)₂O or (—CO)₂NR¹⁵ formed by X¹ and Y¹, X² and Y² or X³ and Y³. R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each represent a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbon group. Z represents a hydrocarbon group or halogen-substituted hydrocarbon group. W represents SiR¹⁶ _(p)D_(3-p) (in which R¹⁶ repeating unit a C₁-C₁₀ hydrocarbon group; D represents a halogen atom, —OCOR¹⁶ or —OR¹⁶; and p represents an integer of from 0 to 3). The suffix n represents an integer of from 0 to 10.

The incorporation of functional groups having a great polarity as substituents X¹ to X³ and Y¹ to Y³ makes it possible to raise the thickness-direction retardation (Rth) of the optical film and hence the developability of the in-plane retardation (Re) of the optical film. When the film having a great Re developability is stretched during the film forming process, Re value of the film can be raised.

Norbornene-based addition (co)polymers are disclosed in JP-A-10-7732, JP-T-2002-504184, US2004229157A1, WO2004/070463A1, etc. A norbornene-based addition (co)polymer is obtained by the addition polymerization of norbornene-based polycyclic unsaturated compounds. If necessary, a norbornene-based polycyclic unsaturated compound may be subjected to addition polymerization with a conjugated diene such as ethylene, propylene, butene, butadiene and isoprene, nonconjugated diene such as ethylidene norbornene or linear diene compound such as acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, maleimide, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride. This norbornene-based addition (co)polymer is commercially available in the trade name of APL from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. APL is commercially available in various grades having different glass transition temperatures (Tg), e.g., APL8008T (Tg: 70° C.), APL6013T (Tg: 125° C.), APL6015T (Tg: 145° C.). Pelletized norbornene-based addition (co)polymers are commercially available in the trade name of TOPAS8007, 6013, 6015, etc. from Polyplastics Co., Ltd. Further, Appear3000 is commercially available from Ferrania Company.

A norbornene-based polymer hydride is prepared by subjecting a polycyclic unsaturated compound to addition polymerization or ring-opening metathesis polymerization followed by hydrogenation as disclosed in JP-A-1-240517, JP-A-7-196736, JP-A-60-26024, JP-A-62-19801, JP-A-2003-159767, and JP-A-2004-309979. In the norbornene-based polymer to be used in the invention, R⁵ and R⁶ each are preferably a hydrogen atom or —CH₃. X³ and Y³ each are preferably a hydrogen atom, Cl or —COOCH₃. The other substituents are properly selected. This norbornene-based resin is commercially available in the trade name of Arton G or Arton F from JSR Corporation or in the trade name of Zeonor ZF14, ZF16, Zeonex 250 or Zeonex 280 from ZEON CORPORATION. These products can be used in the invention.

(Additives)

Examples of the additives which can be incorporated in the resin solution such as the aforementioned cellulose acylate solution in the invention include plasticizer, ultraviolet absorber, deterioration inhibitor, retardation (optical anisotropy) developer, retardation (optical anisotropy) reducer, particulate material, peel accelerator, and infrared absorber. In the invention, a retardation developer is preferably used. Further, at least one of plasticizer, ultraviolet absorber, peel accelerator, dye and matting agent is preferably used.

These additives may be in the form of solid material or oil-based material. In other words, these additives are not specifically limited in their melting point or boiling point. For example, ultraviolet absorbers having a melting point of 20° C. or less and 20° C. or more may be used in admixture with each other or a plasticizer. For details, reference can be made to JP-A-2001-151901.

As the ultraviolet absorber there may be used an arbitrary kind of ultraviolet absorber depending on the purpose. Examples of the ultraviolet absorber employable herein include salicylic acid ester-based absorbers, benzophenone-based absorbers, benzotriazole-based absorbers, benzoate-based absorbers, cyano acrylate-based absorbers, and nickel complex salt-based absorbers. Preferred among these ultraviolet absorbers are benzophenone-based absorbers, benzotriazole-based absorbers, and salicylic acid ester-based absorbers. Examples of the benzophenone-based ultraviolet absorbers include 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-acetoxybenzopheone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone, 2,2′-di-hydroxy-4-metoxybenzopheone, 2,2′-di-hydroxy-4,4′-metoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxy benzophenone, and 2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxy)propoxybenzophenone. Examples of the benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbers include 2(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2(2′-hydroxy-5′-tert-butylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2(2′-hydroxy-3′,5′-di-tert-amylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2(2′-hydroxy-3′,5′-di-tert-butylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, and 2(2′-hydroxy-5′-tert-octylphenyl)benzotriazole. Examples of the salicylic acid ester-based absorbers include phenyl salicylate, p-octylphenyl salicylate, and p-tert-butyl phenyl salicylate. Particularly preferred among these exemplified ultraviolet absorbers are 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2,2′-di-hydroxy-4,4′-methoxy benzophenone, 2(2′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-5′-methyl phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2(2′-hydroxy-5′-tert-butylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2(2′-hydroxy3′,5′-di-tert-amylphenyl)benzotriazole, and 2(2′-hydroxy-3′,5′-di-tert-butyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole.

A plurality of ultraviolet absorbers having different absorption wavelengths are preferably used to obtain a high barrier effect within a wide wavelength range. As the ultraviolet absorber for liquid crystal there is preferably used one having an excellent absorption of ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 370 nm or less from the standpoint of prevention of deterioration of liquid crystal or one having little absorption of visible light having a wavelength of 400 nm or more. Particularly preferred examples of the ultraviolet absorbers include benzotriazole-based compounds and salicylic acid ester-based compounds previously exemplified. Preferred among these ultraviolet absorbers are benzotriazole-based compounds because they cause little unnecessary coloration of cellulose ester.

As the ultraviolet absorbers there may be used also compounds disclosed in JP-A-60-235852, JP-A-3-199201, JP-A-5-1907073, JP-A-5-194789, JP-A-5-271471, JP-A-6-107854, JP-A-6-118233, JP-A-6-148430, JP-A-7-11056, JP-A-7-11055, JP-A-7-11056, JP-A-8-29619, JP-A-8-239509, and JP-A-2000-204173.

The amount of the ultraviolet absorbers to be incorporated is preferably from 0.001 to 5% by mass, more preferably from 0.01 to 1% by mass based on the cellulose acylate. When the amount of the ultraviolet absorbers to be incorporated falls below 0.001% by mass, the desired effect of these ultraviolet absorbers cannot be sufficiently exerted. On the contrary, when the amount of the ultraviolet absorbers to be incorporated exceeds 5% by mass, the ultraviolet absorbers can bleed out to the surface of the film.

Further, the ultraviolet absorber may be added at the same time as the dissolution of cellulose acylate or may be added to the dope prepared by dissolution. It is particularly preferred that using a static mixer, an ultraviolet absorber be added to the dope which is ready to be flow-casted because the spectral absorption characteristics can be easily adjusted.

The aforementioned deterioration inhibitor can be used to prevent the deterioration or decomposition of cellulose triacetate, etc. Examples of the deterioration inhibitor include compounds such as butylamine, hindered amine compound (JP-A-8-325537), guanidine compound (JP-A-5-271471), benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorber (JP-A-6-235819) and benzophenone-based ultraviolet absorber (JP-A-6-118233).

As the plasticizer there is preferably used phosphoric acid ester or carboxylic acid ester. The aforementioned plasticizer is more preferably selected from the group consisting of triphenyl phosphate (TPP), tricresyl phosphate (TCP), cresyl diphenyl phosphate, octyl diphenyl phosphate, biphenyl diphenyl phosphate (BDP), trioctyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), diphenyl phthalate (DPP), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), triethyl O-acetylcitrate (OACTE), tributyl O-acetylcitrate (OACTB), acetyltriethyl citrate, acetyltributyl citrate, butyl oleate, methylacetyl ricinoleate, dibutyl sebacate, triacetin, tributylin, butylphthalyl glycolate, ethylphthalylethyl glycolate, methylphthalylethyl glycolate, and butylphthalylbutyl glycolate. Further, the aforementioned plasticizer is preferably selected from the group consisting of (di)pentaerythritolesters, glycerolesters and diglycerolesters.

Examples of the peel accelerator include citric acid ethylesters. For the details of the infrared absorbers, reference can be made to JP-A-2001-194522.

Further, in the invention, a dye may be added to adjust hue. The content of the dye is preferably from 10 ppm to 1,000 ppm, more preferably from 50 ppm to 500 ppm based on the mass of the cellulose acylate. The incorporation of dye makes it possible to reduce light piping of the cellulose acylate film and improve yellowish tint. These compounds may be added together with the cellulose acylate or solvent during the preparation of the cellulose acylate solution or singly during or after the preparation of the cellulose acylate solution. Alternatively, these compounds may be added to the ultraviolet absorber solution to be inline added.

The dye to be used in the invention is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (I) or (II).

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, aliphatic group, aromatic group, heterocyclic group, halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group, COR⁹, COOR⁹, NR⁹R¹⁰, NR¹⁰COR¹¹, NR¹⁰SO₂R¹¹, CONR⁹R¹⁰, SO₂NR⁹R¹⁰, COR¹¹, SO₂R¹¹, OCOR¹¹, NR⁹CONR¹⁰R¹¹, CONHSO₂R¹¹ or SO₂NHCOR¹¹ (in which R⁹ and R¹⁰ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group or heterocyclic group; R¹¹ represents an aliphatic group, aromatic group or heterocyclic group; R⁹ and R¹⁰ may be connected to each other to form a 5- or 6-membered ring); and R¹ and R² or R² and R³ may be connected to each other to form a ring.

wherein R²¹, R²³ and R²⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, nitro group, cyano group, aliphatic group, aromatic group, COR²⁹, COOR²⁹, NR²⁹R³⁰, NR³⁰COR³¹ or NR³⁰SO₂R³¹ (in which R²⁹ and R³⁰ have the same meaning as R⁹ and R¹⁰ in the formula (I), respectively; and R³¹ has the same meaning as R¹¹ in the formula (I)) R²² represents an aliphatic group or aromatic group, with the proviso that one or more of R²¹, R²², R²³ and R²⁴ each are a group other than hydrogen atom.

The various groups constituting the formula (I) will be further described hereinafter. The aliphatic group represented by R¹ to R¹¹ represents a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, isopropyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl, n-octadecyl), C₁-C₂₀ cycloalkyl group (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl) or allyl group. The aliphatic group may have substituents [e.g., halogen atom (e.g., F, Cl, Br, I), hydroxyl group, cyano group, nitro group, carboxylic acid group, C₆-C₁₀ aryl group (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl), C₀-C₂₀ amino group (e.g., NH₂, NHCH₃, N(C₂H₅)₂, N(C₄H₉)₂, N(C₈H₁₇)₂, anilino, 4-methoxyanilino), C₁-C₂₀ amide group (e.g., acetylamino, hexanoylamino, benzoylamino, octadecanoylamino), C₁-C₂₀ carbamoyl group (e.g., unsubstituted carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl, ethylcarbamoyl, octylcarbamoyl, hexadecylcarbamoyl), C₂-C₂₀ ester group (e.g., methoxy carbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, n-butoxycarbonyl, dodecyloxycarbonyl), C₁-C₂₀ alkoxy group or aryloxy group (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, isopropoxy, benzyloxy, phenoxy, octadecyloxy), C₁-C₂₀ sulfonamide group (e.g., methanesulfonamide, ethane sulfonamide, butanesulfonamide, benzene sulfonamide, octane sulfonamide), C₀-C₂₀ sulfamoyl group (e.g., unsubstituted sulfamoyl, methylsulfamoyl, butyl sulfamoyl, decylsulfamoyl), 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group (e.g., pyridyl, pyrazolyl, morpholino, piperidino, pyrrolino, benzoxazolyl)].

The aromatic group represented by R¹ to R¹¹ represents a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl) which may have substituents [e.g., those exemplified as the substituents for the aliphatic group and a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group such (e.g., methyl, ethyl, butyl, t-butyl, octyl)].

The heterocyclic group represented by R¹ to R¹¹ represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic group (e.g., pyridine, piperidine, morpholine, pyrrolidine, pyrazole, pyrazolidine, pyrazoline, pyrazolone, benzoxazole) which may have substituents (e.g., groups exemplified as substituents which may be possessed by the aforementioned aromatic group).

Examples of the 5- or 6-membered ring formed by the connection of R⁹ to R¹⁰ include morpholine ring, piperidine ring, and pyrrolidine ring. The ring formed by the connection of R¹ to R² or R² to R³ is preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring (e.g., benzene ring, phthalimide ring).

The various groups in the formula (II) will be further described hereinafter. The aliphatic groups represented by R²¹ to R²⁴ each have the same meaning as those represented by R¹ to R¹¹ in the formula (I). The aromatic groups represented by R²¹ to R²⁴ each have the same meaning as those represented by R¹ to R¹¹ in the formula (I).

These additives may be added at any time during the process of preparing the dope. The step of adding these additives may be conducted at the final step in the process of preparing the dope. Further, the amount of these materials to be added is not specifically limited so far as their functions can be exhibited. In the case where the cellulose acylate film is formed in a multi-layer form, the kind and added amount of additives in the various layers may be different. As disclosed in JP-A-2001-151902 for example, these techniques have heretofore been known. The glass transition point Tg of the cellulose acylate film of the cellulose acylate measured by a tensile testing machine (Vibron: DVA-225, produced by IT Keisoku K.K.) is preferably predetermined to a range of from 70° C. to 150° C., more preferably from 80° C. to 135° C. by properly selecting the kind and added amount of these additives. In other words, the glass transition point Tg of the cellulose acylate film according to the invention preferably falls within the above defined range from the standpoint of process adaptability such as working of polarizing plate and assembly of liquid crystal display device.

As these additives there may be preferably used those disclosed in detail in Kokai Giho No. 2001-1745, Mar. 15, 2001, pp. 16 and after, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.

[Particulate Matting Agent]

The optical resin film such as cellulose acylate film according to the invention preferably has a particulate material incorporated therein as a matting agent. Examples of the particulate material employable herein include silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, calcium carbonate, talc, clay, calcined kaolin, calcined calcium silicate, hydrous calcium silicate, aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, and calcium phosphate. The particulate material preferably contains silicon to reduce turbidity. In particular, silicon dioxide is preferred. The particulate silicon dioxide preferably has a primary average particle diameter of 20 nm or less and an apparent specific gravity of 70 g/l or more. The primary average particle diameter of the particulate silicon dioxide is more preferably as small as from 5 to 16 nm to reduce the haze of the film. The apparent specific gravity of the particulate silicon dioxide is preferably not smaller than from 90 to 200 g/l, more preferably not smaller than from 100 to 200 g/l. As the apparent specific gravity of the silicon dioxide rises, a high concentration dispersion can be prepared more easily to reduce haze and agglomeration.

The amount of the aforementioned particulate silicon dioxide, if used, is preferably from 0.01 to 0.3 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the polymer component containing cellulose acylate.

These particles normally form secondary particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.1 to 3.0 μm. These particles are present in the film in the form of agglomerates of primary particles to form an unevenness having a height of from 0.1 to 3.0 μm on the surface of the film. The secondary average particle diameter is preferably from not smaller than 0.2 μm to not greater than 1.5 μm, more preferably from not smaller than 0.4 μm to not greater than 1.2 μm, most preferably from not smaller than 0.6 μm to not greater than 1.1 μm, When the secondary average particle diameter exceeds 1.5 μm, the resulting film exhibits a raised haze. On the contrary, when the secondary average particle diameter falls below 0.2 μm, the effect of preventing squeak is reduced.

For the determination of primary and secondary particle diameter, particles in the film are observed under scanning electron microphotograph. The particle diameter is defined by the diameter of the circle circumscribing the particle. 200 particles which are located in dispersed positions are observed. The measurements are averaged to determine the average particle diameter.

As the particulate silicon dioxide there may be used a commercially available product such as Aerosil R972, R972V, R974, R812, 200, 200V, 300, R202, OX50 and TT600 (produced by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.). The particulate zirconium oxide is commercially available as Aerosil R976 and R811 (produced by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.). These products can be used in the invention.

Particularly preferred among these products are Aerosil 200V and Aerosil R972V because they are a particulate silicon dioxide having a primary average particle diameter of 20 nm or less and an apparent specific gravity of 70 g/l or more that exerts a great effect of reducing friction coefficient while keeping the turbidity of the optical film low.

In the invention, in order to obtain a cellulose acylate film containing particles having a small secondary average particle diameter, various methods may be proposed to prepare a dispersion of particles. For example, a method may be employed which comprises previously preparing a particulate dispersion of particles in a solvent, stirring the particulate dispersion with a small amount of a cellulose acylate solution which has been separately prepared to make a solution, and then mixing the solution with a main cellulose acylate dope solution. This preparation method is desirable because the particulate silicon dioxide can be fairly dispersed and thus can be difficultly re-agglomerated. Besides this method, a method may be employed which comprises stirring a solution with a small amount of cellulose ester to make a solution, dispersing the solution with a particulate material using a dispersing machine to make a solution having particles incorporated therein, and then thoroughly mixing the solution having particles incorporated therein with a dope solution using an in-line mixer. The invention is not limited to these methods. The concentration of silicon dioxide during the mixing and dispersion of the particulate silicon dioxide with a solvent or the like is preferably from 5 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 10 to 25% by mass, most preferably from 15 to 20% by mass. As the concentration of dispersion rises, the turbidity of the solution with respect to the added amount decreases to further reduce haze and agglomeration to advantage. The content of the matting agent in the final cellulose acylate dope solution is preferably from 0.01 to 1.0 g, more preferably from 0.03 to 0.3 g, most preferably from 0.08 to 0.16 g per m².

Preferred examples of the solvent which is a lower alcohol include methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol. The solvent other than lower alcohol is not specifically limited, but solvents which are used during the preparation of cellulose ester are preferably used.

(Re Developer)

The term “Re developer” as used herein is meant to indicate a compound which develops in-plane birefringence.

Re developer in the invention preferably exhibits a molar absorptivity of 1,000 or less at a wavelength of from 350 nm to 800 nm, more preferably a molar absorptivity of 1,000 or less at a wavelength of from 330 nm to 800 nm from the standpoint of prevention of unnecessary coloration of film.

In order to control the absolute value of Re of the optical resin film of the invention, a compound which shows a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of shorter than 250 nm in solution ultraviolet absorption spectrum is preferably used as a retardation raising agent. The use of such a compound makes it possible to control the absolute value of Re of the optical resin film of the invention without causing substantial change of the wavelength dependence of Re in the visible light range.

The term “retardation raising agent” as used herein is meant to indicate an “additive” with which a cellulose acylate film exhibits a Re retardation value of 20 nm or more higher than the same cellulose acylate film at a wavelength of 550 nm. The rise of retardation value thus developed is preferably 25 nm or more, more preferably 30 nm or more, most preferably 35 nm or more.

From the standpoint of the function of the retardation raising, a rod-shaped compound is preferably used. The rod-shaped compound preferably has at least one aromatic ring, more preferably at least two aromatic rings.

The rod-shaped compound preferably has a linear molecular structure. The term “linear molecular structure” as used herein is meant to indicate that the molecular structure of the rod-shaped compound which is most thermodynamically stable is linear. The most thermodynamically stable structure can be determined by crystallographic structure analysis or molecular orbital calculation. For example, a molecular orbital calculation software (e.g., WinMOPAC2000, produced by Fujitsu Co., Ltd.) may be used to effect molecular orbital calculation, making it possible to determine a molecular structure allowing the minimization of heat formation of compound. The term “linear molecular structure” as used herein also means that the most thermodynamically stable molecular structure thus calculated has an angle of 140 degrees or more.

As the Re developer in the invention there is preferably used a rod-shaped aromatic compound as disclosed in JP-A-2004-50516, pp. 11-14.

The rod-shaped compound as disclosed in JP-A-2005-134863 is also preferably used.

It is also preferred that the rod-shaped compound exhibit liquid crystal properties. It is more desirable that the rod-shaped compound exhibit liquid crystal properties when heated (thermotropic liquid crystal properties). The liquid crystal phase is preferably a nematic phase or smectic phase.

The preferred compound is disclosed in JP-A-2004-4550, but the invention is not limited thereto. Two or more rod-shaped compounds having a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of shorter than 250 nm in solution ultraviolet absorption spectrum may be used in combination.

The rod-shaped compound can be synthesized by any method disclosed in literatures. Examples of these literatures include “Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst.”, vol. 53, page 229, 1979, “Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst.”, vol. 89, page 93, 1982, “Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst.”, vol. 145, page 111, 1987, “Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst.”, vol. 170, page 43, 1989, “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, vol. 113, page 1,349, 1991, “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, vol. 118, page 5,346, 1996, “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, vol. 92, page 1,582, 1970, “J. Org. Chem.”, vol. 40, page 420, 1975, and “Tetrahedron”, vol. 48, No. 16, page 3,437, 1992.

Re developers according to the invention may be used singly or in admixture of two or thereof. The added amount of Re developers according to the invention is preferably from 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably from 0.5 to 20 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of cellulose acylate.

Referring to the method of adding Re developers according to the invention, Re developers may be added to the cellulose acylate solution (dope) directly or in the form of solution in an organic solvent such as alcohol, methylene chloride and dioxolane.

(Rth Developer)

In order to develop desired Rth retardation value, a retardation raising agent is preferably used.

The term “retardation raising agent” as used herein is meant to indicate an “additive” with which a cellulose acylate film exhibits a Rth retardation value of 20 nm or more higher than the same cellulose acylate film at a wavelength of 550 nm. The rise of retardation value thus developed is preferably 30 nm or more, more preferably 40 nm or more, most preferably 60 nm or more.

The retardation raising agent is preferably a compound having at least two aromatic rings. The retardation raising agent is preferably used in an amount of from 0.01 to 20 parts by mass, more preferably from 0.1 to 15 parts by mass, even more preferably from 0.2 to 10 parts by mass, most preferably from 0.5 to 8 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the polymer. Two or more retardation raising agents may be used in combination.

The retardation raising agent preferably exhibits maximum absorption at a wavelength of from 250 nm to 400 nm, more preferably substantially no absorption in the visible light range.

The retardation raising agent for controlling Rth preferably doesn't affect Re developed by stretching. As such a retardation raising agent there is preferably used a discotic compound.

The discotic compound preferably contains an aromatic heterocyclic group in addition to aromatic hydrocarbon ring. It is particularly preferred that the aromatic hydrocarbon ring be a 6-membered ring (i.e., benzene ring).

The aromatic heterocyclic group is normally an unsaturated heterocyclic group. The aromatic heterocyclic group is preferably a 5-membered ring, 6-membered ring or 7-membered ring, more preferably a 5-membered ring or 6-membered ring. The aromatic heterocyclic group normally has the most numerous double bonds. As hetero atoms there are preferably used nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, particularly nitrogen atom. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include furane ring, thiophene ring, pyrrole ring, oxazole ring, isooxazole ring, thiazole ring, isothiazole ring, imidazole ring, pyrazole ring, furazane ring, triazole ring, pyrane ring, pyridine ring, pyridazine ring, pyrimidine ring, pyrazine ring, and 1,3,5-triazine ring.

Preferred examples of the aromatic ring include benzene ring, furane ring, thiophene ring, pyrrole ring, oxazole ring, thiazole ring, imidazole ring, triazole ring, pyridine ring, pyrimidine ring, pyrazine ring, and 1,3,5-triazine ring. Particularly preferred among these aromatic rings is 1,3,5-triazine ring. In some detail, as the discotic compound there is preferably used one disclosed in JP-A-2001-166144.

The aromatic compound is used in an amount of from 0.01 to 20 parts by mass, preferably from 0.05 to 15 parts by mass, more preferably from 0.1 to 10 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of cellulose acylate. Two or more such compounds may be used in combination.

[Solvent]

The aforementioned organic solvent in which the cellulose acylate as an example of the resin to be used in the invention is dissolved will be described hereinafter.

The term “good solvent” as used herein is meant to indicate a solvent capable of dissolving cellulose acylate therein in an amount of 5 g or more per 100 g at 25° C. On the contrary, the term “poor solvent” as used herein is meant to indicate a solvent capable of dissolving cellulose acylate in an amount of less than 5 g per 100 g at 25° C.

In the invention, as the organic solvent there may be used either a chlorine-based solvent mainly composed of chlorine-based organic solvent or a nonchlorine-based solvent free of chlorine-based organic solvent.

(Chlorine-Based Solvent)

In order to prepare the cellulose acylate solution of the invention, as the main solvent there is preferably used a chlorine-based organic solvent. In the invention, the kind of the chlorine-based organic solvent is not specifically limited so far as the cellulose acylate can be dissolved and flow-casted to form a film, thereby attaining its aim. The chlorine-based organic solvent is preferably dichloromethane or chloroform. In particular, dichloromethane is preferred. The chlorine-based organic solvent may be used in admixture with organic solvents other than chlorine-based organic solvent. In this case, it is necessary that dichloromethane be used in an amount of at least 50% by mass based on the total amount of the organic solvents. Other organic solvents to be used in combination with the chlorine-based organic solvent in the invention will be described hereinafter. In some detail, other organic solvents employable herein are preferably selected from the group consisting of ester, ketone, ether, alcohol and hydrocarbon having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. The ester, ketone, ether and alcohol may have a cyclic structure. A compound having two or more of functional groups (i.e., —O—, —CO—, and —COO—) of ester, ketone and ether, too, may be used as a solvent. The solvent may have other functional groups such as alcohol-based hydroxyl group at the same time. The number of carbon atoms in the solvent having two or more functional groups, if used, may fall within the range defined for the compound having any of these functional groups. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ esters include ethyl formate, propyl formate, pentyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and pentyl acetate. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ ketones include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, and methyl cyclohexanone. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ ethers include diisopropyl ether, dimethoxymethane, dimethoxyethane, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofurane, anisole, and phenethol. Examples of the organic solvent having two or more functional groups include 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, 2-methoxyethanol, and 2-butoxyethanol.

The alcohol to be used in combination with the chlorine-based organic solvent may be preferably straight-chain, branched or cyclic. Preferred among these organic solvents is saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon. The hydroxyl group in the alcohol may be primary to tertiary. Examples of the alcohol employable herein include methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, t-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, and cyclohexanol. As the alcohol there may be used also a fluorine-based alcohol. Examples of the fluorine-based alcohol include 2-fluoroethanol, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol. Further, the hydrocarbon may be straight-chain, branched or cyclic. Either an aromatic hydrocarbon or aliphatic hydrocarbon may be used. The aliphatic hydrocarbon may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of the hydrocarbon include cyclohexane, hexane, benzene, toluene, and xylene.

Examples of the combination of chlorine-based organic solvent and other organic solvents include the following formulations, but the invention is not limited thereto.

-   -   Dichloromethane/methanol/ethanol/butanol (80/10/5/5, parts by         mass)     -   Dichloromethane/acetone/methanol/propanol (80/10/5/5, parts by         mass)     -   Dichloromethane/methanol/butanol/cyclohexane (80/10/5/5, parts         by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/methyl ethyl ketone/methanol/butanol (80/10/5/5,         parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/acetone/methyl ethyl ketone/ethanol/isopropanol         (75/8/5/5/7, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/cyclopentanone/methanol/isopropanol (80/7/5/8,         parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/methyl acetate/butanol (80/10/10, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/cyclohexanone/methanol/hexane (70/20/5/5, parts         by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/methyl ethyl ketone/acetone/methanol/ethanol         (50/20/20/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/1,3-dioxolane/methanol/ethanol (70/20/5/5, parts         by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/dioxane/acetone/methanol/ethanol (60/20/10/5/5,         parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/acetone/cyclopentanone/ethanol/isobutanol/cyclohexane         (65/10/10/5/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/methyl ethyl ketone/acetone/methanol/ethanol         (70/10/10/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/acetone/ethyl acetate/ethanol/butanol/hexane         (65/10/10/5/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/methyl acetoacetate/methanol/ethanol         (65/20/10/5, parts by mass)     -   Dichloromethane/cyclopentanone/ethanol/butanol (65/20/10/5,         parts by mass)         (Nonchlorine-Based Solvent)

The nonchlorine-based solvent which can be preferably used to prepare the cellulose acylate solution of the invention will be described hereinafter. The nonchlorine-based organic solvent to be used in the invention is not specifically limited so far as the cellulose acylate can be dissolved and flow-casted to form a film, thereby attaining its aim. The nonchlorine-based organic solvent employable herein is preferably selected from the group consisting of ester, ketone, ether and having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. The ester, ketone and ether may have a cyclic structure. A compound having two or more of functional groups (i.e., —O—, —CO—, and —COO—) of ester, ketone and ether, too, may be used as a solvent. The solvent may have other functional groups such as alcohol-based hydroxyl group. The number of carbon atoms in the solvent having two or more functional groups, if used, may fall within the range defined for the compound having any of these functional groups. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ esters include ethyl formate, propyl formate, pentyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and pentyl acetate. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ ketones include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, and methyl cyclohexanone. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ ethers include diisopropyl ether, dimethoxymethane, dimethoxyethane, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofurane, anisole, and phenethol. Examples of the organic solvent having two or more functional groups include 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, 2-methoxyethanol, and 2-butoxyethanol.

The nonchlorine-based organic solvent to be used for cellulose acylate may be selected from the aforementioned various standpoints of view but is preferably as follows. In some detail, the nonchlorine-based solvent is preferably a mixed solvent mainly composed of the aforementioned nonchlorine-based organic solvent. This is a mixture of three or more different solvents wherein the first solvent is at least one or a mixture of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl formate, ethyl formate, acetone, dioxolane and dioxane, the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of ketones or acetoacetic acid esters having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and the third solvent is selected from the group consisting of alcohols or hydrocarbons having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably alcohols having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. In the case where the first solvent is a mixture of two or more solvents, the second solvent may be omitted. The first solvent is more preferably methyl acetate, acetone, methyl formate, ethyl formate or mixture thereof. The second solvent is preferably methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, methyl acetylacetate or mixture thereof.

The third solvent which is an alcohol may be straight-chain, branched or cyclic. Preferred among these alcohols are unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons. The hydroxyl group in the alcohol may be primary to tertiary. Examples of the alcohol include methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, t-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, and cyclohexanol. As the alcohol there may be used also a fluorine-based alcohol. Examples of the fluorine-based alcohol include 2-fluoroethanol, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol. Further, the hydrocarbon may be straight-chain, branched or cyclic. Either an aromatic hydrocarbon or aliphatic hydrocarbon may be used. The aliphatic hydrocarbon may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of the hydrocarbon include cyclohexane, hexane, benzene, toluene, and xylene. The alcohols and hydrocarbons which are third solvents may be used singly or in admixture of two or more thereof without any limitation. Specific examples of the alcohol which is a third solvent include methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, cyclohexanol, cyclohexane, and hexane. Particularly preferred among these alcohols are methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and 1-butanol.

Referring to the mixing ratio of the aforementioned three solvents, the mixing ratio of the first solvent, the second solvent and the third solvent are preferably from 20 to 95% by mass, from 2 to 60% by mass and from 2 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 30 to 90% by mass, from 3 to 50% by mass and from 3 to 25% by mass, particularly from 30 to 90% by mass, from 3 to 30% by mass and from 3 to 15% by mass, respectively, based on the total mass of the mixture. For the details of the nonchlorine-based organic solvents to be used in the invention, reference can be made to Kokai Giho No. 2001-1745, Mar. 15, 2001, pp. 12-16, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. Examples of the combination of nonchlorine-based organic solvents include the following formulations, but the invention is not limited thereto.

-   -   Methyl acetate/acetone/methanol/ethanol/butanol (75/10/5/5/5,         parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/methanol/ethanol/propanol (75/10/5/5/5,         parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/methanol/butanol/cyclohexane         (75/10/5/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/ethanol/butanol (81/8/7/4, parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/ethanol/butanol (82/10/4/4, parts by         mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/ethanol/butanol (80/10/4/6, parts by         mass)     -   Methyl acetate/methyl ethyl ketone/methanol/butanol (80/10/5/5,         parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/methyl ethyl ketone/ethanol/isopropanol         (75/8/5/5/7, parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/cyclopentanone/methanol/isopropanol (80/7/5/8,         parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/acetone/butanol (85/10/5, parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/cyclopentanone/acetone/methanol/butanol         (60/15/14/5/6, parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/cyclohexanone/methanol/hexane (70/20/5/5, parts         by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/methyl ethyl ketone/acetone/methanol/ethanol         (50/20/20/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/1,3-dioxolane/methanol/ethanol (70/20/5/5, parts         by mass)     -   Methyl acetate/dioxane/acetone/methanol/ethanol (60/20/10/5/5,         parts by mass)     -   Methyl         acetate/acetone/cyclopentanone/ethanol/isobutanol/cyclohexane         (65/10/10/5/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Methyl formate/methyl ethyl ketone/acetone/methanol/ethanol         (50/20/20/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Methyl formate/acetone/ethyl acetate/ethanol/butanol/hexane         (65/10/10/5/5/5, parts by mass)     -   Acetone/methyl acetoacetate/methanol/ethanol (65/20/10/5, parts         by mass)     -   Acetone/cyclopentanone/methanol/butanol (65/20/10/5, parts by         mass)     -   Acetone/1,3-dioxolane/ethanol/butanol (65/20/10/5, parts by         mass)     -   1,3-Dioxolane/cyclohexanone/methyl ethyl ketone/methanol/butanol         (55/20/10/5/5/5, parts by mass)

Further, cellulose acylate solutions prepared by the following methods may be used.

-   -   Method which comprises preparing a cellulose acylate solution         with methyl acetate/acetone/ethanol/butanol (81/8/7/4, parts by         mass), filtering and concentrating the solution, and then adding         2 parts by mass of butanol to the solution     -   Method which comprises preparing a cellulose acylate solution         with methyl acetate/acetone/ethanol/butanol (84/10/4/2, parts by         mass), filtering and concentrating the solution, and then adding         4 parts by mass of butanol to the solution     -   Method which comprises preparing a cellulose acylate solution         with methyl acetate/acetone/ethanol (84/10/6, parts by mass),         filtering and concentrating the solution, and then adding 5         parts by mass of butanol to the solution

The dope to be used in the invention comprises dichloromethane incorporated therein in an amount of 10% by mass or less based on the total mass of the organic solvents of the invention besides the aforementioned nonchlorine-based organic solvent of the invention.

(Properties of Cellulose Acylate Solution)

The cellulose acylate solution of the invention preferably comprises cellulose acylate incorporated in the aforementioned organic solvent in an amount of from 10 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 13 to 27% by mass, particularly from 15 to 25% by mass from the standpoint of adaptability to film flow casting. The adjustment of the concentration of the cellulose acylate solution to the predetermined range may be effected at the dissolution step. Alternatively, a cellulose acylate solution which has been previously prepared in a low concentration (e.g., 9 to 14% by mass) may be adjusted to the predetermined concentration range at a concentrating step described later. Alternatively, a cellulose acylate solution which has been previously prepared in a high concentration may be adjusted to the predetermined lower concentration range by adding various additives thereto. Any of these methods may be used so far as the predetermined concentration range can be attained.

In the invention, the molecular weight of the associated cellulose acylate in the cellulose acylate solution which has been diluted with an organic solvent having the same formulation to a concentration of from 0.1 to 5% by mass is preferably from 150,000 to 15,000,000, more preferably from 180,000 to 9,000,000 from the standpoint of solubility in solvent. For the determination of the molecular weight of associated product, a static light scattering method may be used. The dissolution is preferably effected such that the concurrently determined square radius of inertia ranges from 10 to 200 nm, more preferably from 20 to 200 nm. Further, the dissolution is preferably effected such that the second virial coefficient ranges from −2×10⁻⁴ to +4×10⁻⁴, more preferably from −2×10⁻⁴ to +2×10⁻⁴.

The definition of the molecular weight of the associated product, the square radius of inertia and the second virial coefficient will be described hereinafter. These properties are measured by static light scattering method in the following manner. The measurement is made within a dilute range for the convenience of device, but these measurements reflect the behavior of the dope within the high concentration range of the invention.

Firstly, the cellulose acylate is dissolved in the same solvent as used for dope to prepare solutions having a concentration of 0.1% by mass, 0.2% by mass, 0.3% by mass and 0.4% by mass, respectively. The cellulose acylate to be weighed is dried at 120° C. for 2 hours before use to prevent moistening. The cellulose acylate thus dried is then weighed at 25° C. and 10% RH. The dissolution of the cellulose acylate is effected according to the same method as used in the dope dissolution (ordinary temperature dissolution method, cooled dissolution method, high temperature dissolution method). Subsequently, these solutions with solvent are filtered through a Teflon filter having a pore diameter of 0.2 μm. The solutions thus filtered are each then measured for static light scattering every 10 degrees from 30 degrees to 140 degrees at 25° C. using a Type DLS-700 light scattering device (produced by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.). The data thus obtained are then analyzed by Berry plotting method. For the determination of refractive index required for this analysis, the refractive index of the solvent is measured by an Abbe refractometer. For the determination of concentration gradient of refractive index (dn/dc), the same solvent and solution as used in the measurement of light scattering are measured using a type DRM-1021 different refractometer (produced by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.).

(Preparation of Dope)

The preparation of the cellulose acylate solution (dope) as an example of the resin solution according to the invention will be described hereinafter. The method of dissolving the cellulose acylate is not specifically limited. The dissolution of the cellulose acylate may be effected at room temperature. Alternatively, a cooled dissolution method or a high temperature dissolution method may be used. Alternatively, these dissolution methods may be in combination. For the details of the method of preparing a cellulose acylate solution, reference can be made to JP-A-5-163301, JP-A-61-106628, JP-A-58-127737, JP-A-9-95544, JP-A-10-95854, JP-A-10-45950, JP-A-2000-53784, JP-A-11-322946, JP-A-11-322947, JP-A-2-276830, JP-A-2000-273239, JP-A-11-71463, JP-A-04-259511, JP-A-2000-273184, JP-A-11-323017, and JP-A-11-302388. The aforementioned method of dissolving cellulose acylate in an organic solvent may be applied also to the invention so far as it falls within the scope of the invention. For the details of these methods, reference can be made to Kokai Giho No. 2001-1745, Mar. 15, 2001, pp. 22-25, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. The cellulose acylate dope solution of the invention is then subjected to concentration and filtration. For the details of these methods, reference can be made similarly to Kokai Giho No. 2001-1745, Mar. 15, 2001, page 25, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. In the case where dissolution is effected at high temperatures, the temperature is higher than the boiling point of the organic solvent used in most cases. In this case, dissolution is effected under pressure.

The viscosity and dynamic storage elastic modulus of the cellulose acylate solution preferably fall within the following range from the standpoint of flow-castability. 1 mL of the sample solution is measured using a Type CLS 500 rheometer (produced by TA Instruments) with a steel cone having a diameter of 4 cm/2° (produced by TA Instruments). Referring to the measurement conditions, measurement is effected every 2° C. per minute within a range of from −10° C. to 40° C. at an oscillation step with temperature ramp to determine 40° C. static non-Newton viscosity n*(Pa·s) and −5° C. storage elastic modulus G′(Pa). The sample solution is previously kept at the measurement starting temperature before measurement. In the invention, the sample solution preferably has a 40° C. viscosity of from 1 to 400 Pa·s, more preferably from 10 to 200 Pa s, and a 15° C. dynamic storage elastic modulus of 500 Pa or more, more preferably from 100 to 1,000,000 Pa. The low temperature dynamic storage elastic modulus of the sample solution is preferably as great as possible. For example, if the flow casting support has a temperature of −5° C., the dynamic storage elastic modulus of the sample solution is preferably from 10,000 to 1,000,000 Pa at −5° C. If the flow casting support has a temperature of −50° C., the dynamic storage elastic modulus of the sample solution is preferably from 10,000 to 5,000,000 Pa at −50° C.

In the invention, in the case where the aforementioned specific cellulose acylate is used, a high concentration dope is obtained. Thus, a high concentration cellulose acylate solution having an excellent stability can be obtained without relying on the concentrating method. In order to further facilitate dissolution, the cellulose acylate may be dissolved in a low concentration. The solution thus prepared is then concentrated by a concentrating method. The concentrating method is not specifically limited. For example, a method may be used which comprises introducing a low concentration solution into the gap between a case body and the rotary orbit of the periphery of a rotary blade that rotates circumferentially inside the case body while giving a temperature difference between the solution and the case body to vaporize the solution, thereby obtaining a high concentration solution (see, e.g., JP-A-4-259511). Alternatively, a method may be used which comprises blowing a heated low concentration solution into a vessel through a nozzle so that the solvent is flash-evaporated over the distance from the nozzle to the inner wall of the vessel while withdrawing the solvent thus evaporated from the vessel and the resulting high concentration solution from the bottom of the vessel (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,541,012, U.S. Pat. No. 2,858,229, U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,341, U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,355).

Prior to flow casting, the solution is preferably freed of foreign matters such as undissolved matter, dust and impurities by filtration through a proper filtering material such as metal gauze and flannel. For the filtration of the cellulose acylate solution, a filter having an absolute filtration precision of from 0.1 to 100 μm is preferably used. More preferably, a filter having an absolute filtration precision of from 0.5 to 25 μm is used. The thickness of the filter is preferably from 0.1 to 10 mm, more preferably from 0.2 to 2 mm. In this case, filtration is preferably effected under a pressure of 1.6 MPa or less, more preferably 1.2 MPa or less, even more preferably 1.0 MPa or less, particularly 0.2 MPa or less. As the filtering material there is preferably used any known material such as glass fiber, cellulose fiber, filter paper and fluororesin, e.g., ethylene tetrafluoride resin. In particular, ceramics, metal, etc. are preferably used. The viscosity of the cellulose acylate solution shortly before filming may be arbitrary so far as the cellulose acylate solution can be flow-casted during filming and normally is preferably from 10 Pa·s to 2,000 Pa·s, more preferably from 30 Pa·s to 1,000 Pa·s, even more preferably from 40 Pa·s to 500 Pa·s. The temperature of the cellulose acylate solution shortly before filming is not specifically limited so far as it is the flow casting temperature but is preferably from −5° C. to +70° C., more preferably from −5° C. to +55° C.

<Filming>

The optical resin film according to the invention, e.g., cellulose acylate film can be obtained by filming the aforementioned cellulose acylate solution. As the filming method and the filming device there may be used any solution flow casting/filming method and solution flow casting/filming device for use in the related art method of producing cellulose acylate film, respectively. The dope (cellulose acylate solution) prepared in the dissolving machine (kiln) is stored in a storage kiln so that bubbles contained in the dope are removed to make final adjustment. The dope thus adjusted is then delivered from the dope discharge port to a pressure die through a pressure constant rate gear pump capable of delivering a liquid at a constant rate with a high precision depending on the rotary speed. The dope is then uniformly flow-casted through the slit of the pressure die over a metallic support in the flow casting portion which is being running endlessly. When the metallic support has made substantially one turn, the half-dried dope film (also referred to as “web”) is then peeled off the metallic support. The web thus obtained is then dried while being conveyed by a tenter with the both ends thereof being clamped by a clip to keep its width. Subsequently, the web is conveyed by a group of rolls in the drying apparatus to finish drying. The web is then wound to a predetermined length by a winding machine. The combination of tenter and a group of rolls varies with the purpose. In a solution flow casting/filming method for use in functional protective layer for electronic display, a coating device is often added to the solution flow casting/filming device for the purpose of surface working of film such as subbing layer, antistatic layer, anti-halation layer and protective layer. The various producing steps will be briefly described hereinafter, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Firstly, in order to prepare a cellulose acylate film by a solvent flow casting method, the cellulose acylate solution (dope) thus prepared is flow-casted over a drum or band so that the solvent is evaporated to form a film. The dope to be flow-casted is preferably adjusted in its concentration such that the solid content is from 5 to 40% by mass. It is preferred that the surface of the drum or band be previously mirror-like finished. The dope is preferably flow-casted over a drum or band having a surface temperature of 30° C. or less, particularly over a metallic support having a temperature of from −10 to 20° C. Further, methods disclosed in JP-A-2000-301555, JP-A-2000-301558, JP-A-07-032391, JP-A-03-193316, JP-A-05-086212, JP-A-62-037113, JP-A-02-276607, JP-A-55-014201, JP-A-02-111511, and JP-A-02-208650 may be used in the invention.

(Multi-Layer Flow Casting)

The cellulose acylate solution may be flow-casted over a smooth band or drum as a metallic support in the form of a single layer. Alternatively, two or more cellulose acylate solutions may be flow-casted over the metallic support. In the case where a plurality of cellulose acylate solutions are flow-casted, a cellulose acylate-containing solution may be flow-casted over the metallic support through a plurality of flow casting ports disposed at an interval along the direction of running of the metallic support to make lamination. For example, any method as disclosed in JP-A-61-158414, JP-A-1-122419, and JP-A-11-198285 may be employed. Alternatively, a cellulose acylate solution may be flow-casted through two flow casting ports to make filming. For example, any method as disclosed in JP-B-60-27562, JP-A-61-94724, JP-A-61-947245, JP-A-61-104813, JP-A-61-158413, and JP-A-6-134933 may be employed. As disclosed in JP-A-56-162617, a cellulose acylate film flow casting method may be used which comprises simultaneously flow-casting a high viscosity cellulose acylate solution and a low viscosity cellulose acylate solution with a flow of the high viscosity cellulose acylate solution surrounded by the low viscosity cellulose acylate solution. Further, as disclosed in JP-A-61-94724 and JP-A-61-94725, it is a preferred embodiment that the outer solution contains a greater content of an alcohol component as a poor solvent than the inner solution. Alternatively, two flow casting ports may be used so that the film formed on the metallic support by the first flow casting port is peeled off the metallic support and the second flow casting is then made on the side of the film which has come in contact with the metallic support. For example, a method disclosed in JP-B-44-20235 may be used. The cellulose acylate solutions to be flow-casted may be the same or different and thus are not specifically limited. In order to render a plurality of cellulose acylate layers functional, cellulose acylate solutions having a formulation according to the function may be extruded through the respective flow casting port. The flow casting of the cellulose acylate solution may be accompanied by the flow casting of other functional layers (e.g., adhesive layer, dye layer, antistatic layer, anti-halation layer, ultraviolet-absorbing layer, polarizing layer).

In order to form a film having a desired thickness from the related art single layer solution, it is necessary that a cellulose acylate solution having a high concentration and a high viscosity be extruded. In this case, a problem often arises that the cellulose acylate solution exhibits a poor stability and thus forms a solid material that causes the generation of granular structure or poor planarity. In order to solve these problems, a plurality of cellulose acylate solutions can be flow-casted through flow casting ports, making it possible to extrude high viscosity solutions onto the metallic support at the same time. In this manner, a film having an improved planarity and hence excellent surface conditions can be prepared. Further, the use of a highly concentrated cellulose acylate solution makes it possible to attain the reduction of the drying load that can enhance the production speed of film. In the case of co-casting method, the thickness of the inner solution and the outer solution are not specifically limited, but the thickness of the outer solution is preferably from 1 to 50%, more preferably from 2 to 30% of the total thickness. In the case of co-casting of three of more layers, the sum of the thickness of the layer in contact with the metallic support and the layer in contact with air is defined as the thickness of the outer layer. In the case of co-casting, cellulose acylate solutions having different concentrations of the aforementioned additives such as plasticizer, ultraviolet absorber and matting agent can be co-casted to a cellulose acylate film having a laminated structure. For example, a cellulose acylate film having a skin layer/core layer/skin layer structure can be prepared. For example, the matting agent can be incorporated much or only in the skin layer. The plasticizer and ultraviolet absorber may be incorporated more in the core layer than in the skin layer or only in the core layer. The kind of the plasticizer and the ultraviolet absorber may differ from the core layer to the skin layer. For example, at least either of low volatility plasticizer and ultraviolet absorber may be incorporated in the skin layer while a plasticizer having an excellent plasticity or an ultraviolet absorber having excellent ultraviolet absorbing properties may be incorporated in the core layer. In another preferred embodiment, a peel accelerator may be incorporated in only the skin layer on the metallic support side. It is also preferred that the skin layer contain an alcohol as a poor solvent more than the core layer in order that the solution might be gelled by cooling the metallic support by a cooled drum method. The skin layer and the core layer may have different Tg values. It is preferred that Tg of the core layer be lower than that of the skin layer. Further, the viscosity of the solution containing cellulose acylate may differ from the skin layer to the core layer during flow casting. It is preferred that the viscosity of the skin layer be lower than that of the core layer. However, the viscosity of the core layer may be lower than that of the skin layer.

(Flow Casting)

Examples of the solution flow casting method include a method which comprises uniformly extruding a dope prepared onto a metallic support through a pressure die, a doctor blade method which comprises adjusting the thickness of a dope flow-casted over a metallic support using a blade, and a reverse roll coater method which comprises adjusting the thickness of the dope flow-casted using a roll that rotates in the reverse direction. Preferred among these flow casting methods is the pressure die method. Examples of the pressure die include coat hunger type pressure die, and T-die type pressure die. Any of these pressure dies may be preferably used. Besides the aforementioned methods, various conventional methods for flow casting/filming a cellulose triacetate solution may be effected. By predetermining the various conditions taking into account the difference in boiling point between solvents used, the same effects as the contents disclosed in the above cited references can be exerted. As the endless running metallic support to be used in the production of the cellulose acylate film of the invention there may be used a drum which has been mirror-like finished by chromium plating or a stainless steel belt (also referred to as “band”) which has been mirror-like finished by polishing. One or more pressure dies for producing the cellulose acylate film of the invention may be disposed above the metallic support. Preferably, the number of pressure dies is 1 or 2. In the case where two or more pressure dies are provided, the dope to be flow-casted may be allotted to these dies at various ratios. A plurality of precision constant rate gear pumps may be used to deliver the dope to these dies at the respect ratio. The temperature of the cellulose acylate solution to be flow-casted is preferably from −10 to 55° C., more preferably from 25 to 50° C. In this case, the temperature of the cellulose acylate solution may be the same at all the steps or may differ from step to step. In the latter case, it suffices if the temperature of the cellulose acylate solution is the desired temperature shortly before being flow-casted.

(Drying Step)

General examples of the method of drying the dope on the metallic support in the production of the cellulose acylate film include a method which comprises blowing a hot air against the web on the front surface of the metallic support (drum or band), that is, the front surface of the web on the metallic support or on the back surface of the drum or band, and a liquid heat conduction method which comprises allowing a temperature-controlled liquid to come in contact with the back surface of the belt or drum, which is the side thereof opposite the dope flow-casting surface, so that heat is conducted to the drum or belt to control the surface temperature. Preferred among these drying methods is the back surface liquid heat conduction method. The surface temperature of the metallic support before flow casting may be arbitrary so far as it is not higher than the boiling point of the solvent used in the dope. However, in order to accelerate drying or eliminate fluidity on the metallic support, it is preferred that the surface temperature of the metallic support be predetermined to be from 1 to 10° C. lower than the boiling point of the solvent having the lowest boiling point among the solvents used. However, this limitation is not necessarily applied in the case where the flow-casted dope is cooled and peeled off the metallic support without being dried.

(Stretching and Shrinkage)

The optical resin film of the invention, e.g., cellulose acylate film can exhibit its properties when stretched and optionally shrunk.

The stretching and shrinking methods which are preferably employed in the invention will be described in detail hereinafter.

During the preparation of the film of the invention, the following production method 1 or production method 2 is preferably employed.

Further, a production method involving both the production methods 1 and 2 is preferred.

(Production Method 1)

The cellulose acylate film of the invention is preferably stretched crosswise so that it can be applied to polarizing plate. For details, reference can be made to JP-A-62-115035, JP-A-4-152125, JP-A-4-284211, JP-A-4-298310, and JP-A-11-48271. The stretching of the film is preferably effected at a temperature of from 25° C. to 100° C. higher than Tg. The film may be stretched monoaxially or biaxially. The film can be stretched by some treatment during drying. This stretching method is effective particularly when the solvent remains in the film. For example, the film can be stretched by properly adjusting the speed of the film conveying rollers such that the winding speed of the film is higher than the peeling speed of the film. The film can be stretched also by conveying the film while being gripped at the side edges thereof by a tenter the width of which is gradually increased. The film can be stretched also by stretching the film dried using a stretching machine (preferably monoaxial stretching using a long stretching machine). The stretching factor of the film (ratio of rise of length by stretching to original length) is preferably from 0.5% to 300%, more preferably from 1% to 200%, particularly preferably from 1% to 100%. The cellulose acylate film of the invention is preferably prepared by successively or continuously effecting a film forming step involving solvent casting method and a step of stretching the film thus formed. During the stretching step, the stretching factor is preferably from not smaller than 1.2 to not greater than 1.8. The stretching of the film may be effected in one state or a multiple of stages. In the case of multi-stage stretching, it suffices if the product of the stretching factor at the various stages falls within the above defined range.

The stretching speed is preferably from 5%/min to 1,000%/min, more preferably from 10%/min to 500%/min. The stretching of the film is preferably effected over a heated roll and/or radiation heat source (IR heater or the like) or with hot air. In order to enhance the uniformity in temperature, a constant temperature tank may be provided. In the case where monoaxial stretching is effected by roll stretching, L/W, which is the ratio of the distance L between the rolls to the width (W) of the retardation plate, is preferably from 2.0 to 5.0.

A preheating step is preferably provided prior to the stretching step. Heat treatment may be effected after stretching. The heat treatment temperature is preferably from 20° C. lower than the glass transition temperature of the cellulose acylate film to 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of the cellulose acylate film. The heat treatment time is preferably from 1 second to 300 hours. The heating method may involve zone heating or partial heating using an infrared heater. The film may be slit at the both edges thereof during or at the end of the heat treatment step. Slit tailing is preferably recovered for recycling.

(Production Method 2)

As a result of extensive studies, the inventors found that the employment of the production method involving the stretching step of stretching film and the shrinking step of shrinking film makes it possible to obtain an optical film having the aforementioned desired optical physical properties.

In the invention, there is particularly preferably used a method for the production of an optical film involving a stretching step of stretching the film in the film conveying direction and a shrinking step of shrinking the film while being gripped in the crosswise direction or a method for the production of an optical film involving a stretching step of stretching the film in the crosswise direction and a shrinking step of shrinking the film in the film conveying direction.

Firstly, the method for the production of an optical film involving a stretching step of stretching the film in the film conveying direction and a shrinking step of shrinking the film while being gripped in the crosswise direction will be described.

In this case, the film is stretched in the film conveying direction. As the method for stretching the film in the film conveying direction there is preferably used a method which comprise adjusting the speed of the film conveying rollers such that the winding speed of the film is higher than the peeling speed of the film.

In this case, by conveying the film while being crosswise retained by the tenter the width of which is gradually reduced, the film can be shrunk substantially perpendicularly to the stretching direction.

In some detail, by conveying the film while being retained by a chain type, screw type, pantograph type or linear motor type tenter and stretched in the conveying direction with the width of the tenter being gradually reduced, the film can be shrunk in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction while being stretched.

On the other hand, in accordance with the method for the production of an optical film involving a stretching step of stretching the film in the crosswise direction and a shrinking step of shrinking the film in the film conveying direction, the film can be stretched while being retained by a chain type, screw type, pantograph type or linear motor type tenter the distance of clips of which is being gradually reduced as the film flows in the conveying direction.

In accordance with the aforementioned method, at least a part of the stretching step and shrinking step can be effected at the same time.

As a stretching device for specifically effecting the aforementioned stretching step of stretching the film either in longitudinal direction or crosswise direction while shrinking the film in the other direction and raising the thickness of the film there is preferably used a Type FITZ stretching device (produced by Ichikin Industry Co., Ltd.). For the details of this stretching device, reference can be made to JP-A-2001-38802.

Proper values of the stretching factor at the stretching step and the shrinking factor at the shrinking step can be arbitrarily selected by in-plane retardation Re and thickness-direction retardation Rth. However, the stretching factor at the stretching step and the shrinking factor at the shrinking step are preferably 10% or more and 5% or more, respectively.

The term “stretching factor” as used herein is meant to indicate the ratio of the elongation of the film after stretching to the length of the film before stretching in the stretching direction. The term “shrinking factor” as used herein is meant to indicate the ratio of the shrinkage of the film after shrinking to the length of the film before shrinkage in the shrinking direction.

The stretching factor is preferably from 10% to 60%, particularly preferably from 20% to 50%. On the other hand, the shrinking factor is preferably from 5% to 40%, particularly preferably from 15% to 35%.

In order to attain desired optical physical properties, the stretching and shrinking steps are preferably effected at a temperature of (glass transition temperature of the film at the time of treatment+(5 to 100)° C.), more preferably (glass transition temperature of the film at the time of treatment+(10 to 80)° C.).

The term “glass transition point (Tg)” as used herein is meant to indicate the value determined from the point of crossing of two lines tangent to the curve present at the temperature of point of inflection at low temperature side on the endothermic (exothermic) curve produced by the measurement using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) under the following conditions.

Vessel: Hermetically sealable vessel made of stainless steel (70 μl)

-   -   Measurement mode: Modulated DSC     -   Scanning temperature range: −50° C. to 200° C.     -   Temperature rising rate: 2° C./min Temperature falling rate: 20°         C./min     -   Amplitude during temperature rise: ±1° C.     -   Period of amplitude: 80 seconds

The term “treatment temperature” as used herein is meant to indicate the temperature of the surface of the film measured by a non-contact infrared thermometer.

The stretching and shrinkage may be effected with the solvent left in the film thus flow-casted or may be effected after drying and winding. The stretching may be effected in one stage or in a multiple of stages. In the case where the stretching is effected in a multiple of stages, it may suffice if the product of stretching factor at the various stretching steps falls within the above defined range. The shrinking step, too, may be effected in one stage or in a multiple of stages.

The stretching speed is preferably from 5%/min to 1,000%/min, more preferably from 10%/min to 500%/min. Stretching is preferably effected over a heated roller and/or by a heat from a radiation heat source (e.g., IR heater) or with hot air. Further, in order to enhance the temperature uniformity, a constant temperature tank may be provided. In the case where monoaxial stretching involves roll stretching, the ratio L/W of distance (L) between rollers to width (W) of retarder plate is preferably from 2.0 to 5.0. The shrinking speed is preferably from 5%/min to 1,000%/min, more preferably from 10%/min to 500%/min. Further, both the stretching speed and the shrinking speed may be kept constant. Alternatively, stretching and shrinkage may be effected at varying speeds.

A preheating step is preferably provided prior to the stretching step. The stretching step may be properly followed by a heat treatment step.

The heat treatment is preferably effected at a temperature of from 20° C. lower than the glass transition temperature of cellulose acylate film to 10° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of cellulose acylate film. The heat treatment is preferably effected for 1 second to 300 hours. The heating method may involve zone heating or partial heating using an infrared heater. The film may be slit at the both edges thereof during or at the end of the heat treatment step. Slit tailing is preferably recovered for recycling.

(Example of Production Technique Employable in the Invention)

In the production of the film of the invention, the following techniques can be appropriately employed.

Referring to tenter, JP-A-11-077718 proposes that the drying of the web with its width retained by a tenter be effected by properly controlling the drying gas blowing method, the blowing angle, the wind velocity distribution, the wind velocity, the air flow rate, the temperature difference, the upper to lower air flow rate ratio, the use of high specific heat drying gas, etc. so that the speed of solution flow casting method can be raised or the prevention of deterioration of quality such as planarity during the expansion of web width can be assured.

Further, JP-A-11-077822 discloses an invention involving heat treatment with heat gradient in the crosswise direction of film at a step of heat relaxation of a thermoplastic resin stretched at a stretching step for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of unevenness.

Moreover, JP-A-4-204503 discloses an invention involving the stretching of a film with its solvent content kept at a range of from 2% to 10% as calculated in terms of solid content for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of unevenness.

Further, JP-A-2002-248680 discloses an invention which comprises stretching a film at a tenter clipping width D kept to or below (33/(log (draw ratio)×log (volatile content)) so that curling due to limitation of clipping width can be suppressed to facilitate the conveyance of the film after stretching step.

Moreover, JP-A-2002-337224 discloses an invention involving tenter conveyance with pin in the former half stage and with clip in the latter half stage for the purpose of attaining both high speed soft film conveyance and stretching.

Further, JP-A-2002-187960 discloses an invention which comprises flow-casting a cellulose ester dope solution over a flow casting support, and then stretching the web (film) peeled off the flow casting support at a draw ratio of from 1.0 to 4.0 in at least one direction while the residual solvent content in the web is 100% by mass or less, particularly from 10 to 100% by mass so that the resulting film has an optical biaxiality for the purpose of simply improving the viewing angle properties and the viewing angle. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the web is stretched at a draw ratio of from 1.0 to 4.0 in at least one direction while the residual solvent content in the web is 100% by mass or less, particularly from 10 to 100% by mass. Other examples of stretching method include a method which comprises making the peripheral speed of a plurality of rollers different so that the film is longitudinally stretched by the use of difference in peripheral speed between rollers, a method which comprises stretching the web fixed at both edges with clips or pins the interval of which expands in the moving direction so that the web is longitudinally stretched, a method which comprises stretching the web fixed at both edges which move outward crosswise so that the web is crosswise stretched, a method which comprises stretching the web fixed at both edges which move outward crosswise and longitudinally so that the web is crosswise and longitudinally stretched, and combination thereof. It is also disclosed that in the case of tenter method, when the clipping portion is driven by a linear driving process, smooth stretching can be effected, making it possible to eliminate risk such as break to advantage.

Moreover, JP-A-2003-014933 discloses an invention which comprises preparing a dope A containing a resin, additives and an organic solvent and a dope B containing a resin and additives free of or having less amount of additives than the dope A, cocasting the dope A and the dope B over a support in such a manner that the dope A forms a core layer and the dope B forms a surface layer, vaporizing the organic solvent until the web can be peeled off the support, peeling the web off the support, and then stretching the web at a draw ratio of from 1.1 to 1.3 in at least one direction while the residual solvent content in the resin film during stretching is from 3 to 50% by mass to prepare a retarder film having little additive bleed-out, no interlayer exfoliation, good slipperiness and excellent transparency. In a preferred embodiment, the web is peeled off the support, and then stretched at a draw ratio of from 1.1 to 3.0 and a temperature of from 140° C. to 200° C. in at least one axial direction. In a further preferred embodiment, a dope A containing a resin and an organic solvent and a dope B containing a resin, a particulate material and an organic solvent are prepared. The dope A and the dope B are then cocasted over a support in such a manner that the dope A forms a core layer and the dope B forms a surface layer. The organic solvent is then vaporized until the web can be peeled off the support. The web is peeled off the support, and then stretched at a draw ratio of from 1.1 to 3.0 in at least one axial direction while the residual solvent content in the resin film during stretching is from 3 to 50% by mass. In a further preferred embodiment, the web is stretched at a draw ratio of from 1.1 to 3.0 and a temperature of from 140° C. to 200° C. in at least one axial direction. In a further preferred embodiment, a dope A containing a resin, an organic solvent and additives, a dope B containing a resin and additives free of or having less amount of additives than the dope A and a dope C containing a resin, a particulate material and an organic solvent are prepared. The dope A, the dope B and the dope C are then cocasted over a support in such a manner that the dope A forms a core layer, the dope B forms a surface layer and the dope C forms the other side surface layer. The organic solvent is then vaporized until the web can be peeled off the support. The web is then peeled of the support, and then stretched at a draw ratio of from 1.1 to 3.0 in at least one axial direction while the residual solvent content in the resin film during stretching is from 3 to 50% by mass. In a further preferred embodiment, the web is stretched at a draw ratio of from 1.1 to 3.0 and a temperature of from 140° C. to 200° C. in at least one axial direction. In a further preferred embodiment, the content of the additives to be incorporated in the dope A and the dope B are from 1 to 30% by mass and from 0 to 5% by mass based on the mass of the resin, respectively, the additives are plasticizers, ultraviolet absorbers or retardation controllers and methylene chloride or methyl acetate is incorporated as an organic solvent in the dope A and the dope B in an amount of 50% by mass or more.

Moreover, JP-A-2003-014933 discloses that as the stretching method there is preferably used a method involving the use of a crosswise stretching machine called tenter adapted to crosswise stretch the web fixed at both edges thereof with a clip or pin the distance of which expands crosswise. It is also disclosed that the longitudinal stretching or shrinkage is carried out by using a simultaneous biaxial stretching machine comprising pins or clips the interval of which increases or decreases in the conveying direction (longitudinal direction). It is further disclosed that when the clipping portion is driven by a linear driving process, stretching can be smoothly effected, making it possible to eliminate risk such as break to advantage. It is further disclosed that as the longitudinal stretching method there may be also used a method which makes the peripheral speed of a plurality of rollers different so that the film is longitudinally stretched by the use of difference in peripheral speed between rollers. It is further disclosed that these stretching methods may be used in composite. It is further disclosed that the stretching step may be effected batchwise in two or more stages as in longitudinal stretching-crosswise stretching-longitudinal stretching or longitudinal stretching-longitudinal stretching.

Moreover, JP-A-2003-004374 discloses an invention involving the use of a drying apparatus comprising a dryer the width of which is shorter than that of the web so that the hot air from the dryer doesn't hit the both edges of the web to prevent the foaming of the web during tenter drying, improve the releasability of the web and prevent the production of dust.

Further, JP-A-2003-019757 discloses an invention involving the provision of a windshield inside the both edges of the web such that drying air doesn't hit the tenter retaining portion to prevent the foaming of the web during tenter drying, improve the releasability of the web and prevent the production of dust.

Moreover, JP-A-2003-053749 discloses an invention that satisfies the relationships (1) 40≦X≦200 when T is 60 or less, (2) 40+(T−60)×0.2≦X≦300 when T is from more than 60 to not more than 120 and (3) 52+(T−120)×0.2≦X≦400 when T is less than 120, supposing that the dried thickness of the both edges of the film retained by the pin tenter is X μm and the average dried thickness of the product portion of the film is T μm to perform stable conveyance and drying.

Further, JP-A-2-182654 discloses an invention involving the provision of a heating chamber and a cooling chamber in the dryer of a multi-stage tenter in the tenter device such that the right and left clip chains are separately cooled to prevent the multi-stage tenter from causing wrinkle.

Moreover, JP-A-9-077315 discloses an invention involving the use of a pin tenter having inner pins having a great density and outer pins having a small density such that break, wrinkle and malconveyance of the web can be prevented.

Further, JP-A-9-085846 discloses an invention involving the use of a tenter drying apparatus arranged such that the pin for retaining the both edges of the web is cooled to a temperature of less than the foaming temperature of the web by a blowing cooler and the pin is cooled to a temperature of the gelation temperature of the dope in the duct type cooler plus 15° C. shortly before engaging the web to prevent the web from foaming or attaching to the retaining unit in the tenter.

Moreover, JP-A-2003-103542 discloses an invention concerning a solution film-forming method which comprises cooling an insert structure in a pin tenter so that the surface temperature of the web doesn't exceed the gelation temperature of the web to prevent pin tenter slip and eliminate foreign matters.

Further, JP-A-11-077718 discloses an invention involving the use of a tenter web drying method performing at a wind velocity of from 0.5 to 20 (40) m/s, a crosswise temperature distribution of 10% or less, an upper to lower web air flow ratio of from 0.2 to 1 and a drying gas ratio of from 30 to 250 J/Kmol to raise the speed of solution flow casting method and prevent the deterioration of quality such as planarity during the expansion of web width by tenter. Preferred tenter drying conditions are disclosed depending on the residual solvent content. In some detail, the angle of blowing from the blowing nozzle is predetermined to be from 30° to 150° between the time at which the web is peeled off the support and the time at which the residual solvent content in the web reaches 4% by mass. When the wind velocity distribution on the surface of the film positioned in the extending direction of blowing of drying gas is based on the upper limit of wind velocity, the difference between the upper limit and the lower limit is predetermined to be 20% or less during the blowing of drying gas. When the residual solvent content in the web is from not smaller than 130% by mass to not greater than 70% by mass, the wind velocity of drying gas blown from the blowing drying machine on the surface of the web is predetermined to be not smaller than 0.5 m/sec to not greater than 20 m/sec. When the residual solvent content is from not smaller than 4% by mass to less than 70% by mass, the web is dried with a drying gas wind blown at a rate of from not smaller than 0.5 m/sec to not greater than 40 m/sec. When the temperature distribution of drying gas in the crosswise direction of web is based on the upper limit of the gas temperature, the difference between the upper limit and the lower limit is predetermined to be 10% or less. When the residual solvent content in the web is not smaller than 4% by mass to not greater than 200% by mass, the flow rate ratio q of drying gas blown from the blowing nozzle of the blowing drying machines positioned above and under the web which is being conveyed is predetermined to be from not smaller than 0.2 to not greater than 1. In a further embodiment, as a drying gas there is used at least one gas the average specific heat of which is from not smaller than 31.0 J/K·mol to not greater than 250 J/K·mol. A drying gas containing an organic compound which normally stays liquid in a concentration of 50% or less may be used at saturated vapor pressure.

Moreover, JP-A-11-077719 discloses an invention involving the use of a TAC producing apparatus comprising a tenter clip having a heating portion incorporated therein such that the planarity or spreadability cannot be impaired by the production of contaminants. In a preferred embodiment, a device for removing foreign matters generated on the portion of contact of clip with web is provided between the site at which the clip of the tenter releases the web and the site at which the clip carries the web again. The foreign matters are removed by the use of spraying gas or liquid or a brush. The residual amount of the web during the contact of the clip or pin with the web is from not smaller than 12% by mass to not greater than 50% by mass. The surface temperature of the portion of contact of the clip or pin with the web is preferably not smaller than 60° to not greater than 200° (more preferably not smaller than 80° to not greater than 120°).

Further, JP-A-11-090943 discloses an invention involving the use of a tenter clip having Lr of from not smaller than 1.0 to not greater than 1.99 supposing that Lr is the ratio Ltt/Lt of the arbitrary length Lt (m) of the tenter to the sum Ltt (m) of the conveying length of the portions at which the tenter clip having the same length as Lt retains the web to improve planarity, eliminate quality deterioration due to tear in the tenter and raise the productivity. In a preferred embodiment, the portions at which the web is retained are disposed without any gap as viewed crosswise.

Moreover, JP-A-11-090944 discloses an invention a plastic film producing apparatus comprising a web crosswise slack inhibiting device provided before the inlet of tenter to eliminate the deterioration of planarity and the instability of introduction due to slacking of web during the introduction of web into the tenter. In a preferred embodiment, the slack inhibiting device is a rotary roller which rotates at a crosswise expanding angle of from 2° to 60°. An air sucking device is provided above the web. There is also provided an air blower capable of blowing from the web.

JP-A-11-090945 discloses an invention concerning a TAC producing method which comprises introducing a web which has been peeled off the support at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of slacking that deteriorates quality and impairs productivity.

Further, JP-A-2000-289903 discloses an invention concerning a conveying apparatus arranged to convey the web while tensing the web in the crosswise direction at the time when the web is peeled off and has a solvent content of from 12 wt-% to 50 wt-% wherein there are provided a web width detecting unit, a web retaining unit and two or more variable flexing points and a web width is calculated from signal produced by the web width detecting unit to change the position of the flexing points, thereby preparing a film having stabilized physical properties.

JP-A-2003-033933 proposes that a guide plate for preventing the occurrence of curling of web at the edge thereof is provided at least above and under the right and left edges of the web at both right and left sides of the portion close to the inlet of the tenter and the surface of the guide plate opposed to the web is composed of a resin portion in contact with web and a metallic portion in contact with web arranged in the web conveying direction to enhance clipping properties and prevent web break over an extended period of time. In a preferred embodiment, the resin portion in contact with web on the guide plate opposed to the web is disposed upstream in the web conveying and the metallic portion in contact with web is disposed downstream in the web conveying direction. The step between the resin portion in contact with web and the metallic portion in contact with web of the guide plate (including slope) is 500 μm or less. The distance between the resin portion and the metallic portion of the guide plate in contact with web in the width direction are each from 2 mm to 150 mm. The distance between the resin portion and the metallic portion of the guide plate in contact with web in the web conveying direction are each from 5 mm to 120 mm. The resin portion in contact with web of the guide plate is provided by working the surface of a metallic guide substrate with a resin or spreading a resin over the metallic guide substrate. The resin portion in contact with web of the guide plate is composed of simple resin body. The distances between the opposing upper and lower guide plates at the right and left edges of the web are 3 mm to 30 mm. The distance between the opposing upper and lower guide plates at the right and left edges of the web increases crosswise and inward at a rate of 2 mm or more per 100 mm of width. Both the upper and lower guide plates at the right and left edges of the web each have a length of from 10 mm to 300 mm. The upper and lower guide plates are disposed shifted in the conveying direction. The shift between the upper and lower guide plates is from −200 to +200 mm. The surface of the upper guide plate opposed to the web is composed of resin or metal alone. The surface of the resin portion of the upper guide plate opposed to the web is made of Teflon®. The metallic portion in contact with web is made of stainless steel. The surface roughness of the guide plate opposed to the web or the resin portion and/or metallic portion in contact with web is 3 μm or less. It is preferred that the upper and lower guide plates for preventing the occurrence of curling of the web on the edges thereof be disposed in between the end of the support at which the web is peeled off and the site at which the web is introduced into the tenter, more preferably close to the inlet of the tenter.

JP-A-11-048271 discloses an invention which comprises stretching the web which has been peeled off using a stretching device at the time when the solvent content in the web is from 12% to 50% by mass, drying the web, and then pressing the web at a pressure of from 0.2 to 10 KPa on the both sides thereof using a press at the time when the solvent content in the web is 10% by mass or less to prevent the web from undergoing break or unevenness during drying in the tenter. In a preferred embodiment, the tensing of the web is terminated at the time when the solvent content in the web is 4% by mass or more. In the case where a nip roll is used to press the web (film) on the both sides thereof, one to eight pairs of nip rolls are preferably used. The temperature at which pressing is effected is preferably from 100° C. to 200° C.

Moreover, JP-A-2002-036266, which invention relates to the provision of a high quality thin TAC having a thickness of from 20 μm to 85 μm, discloses that the tension difference which acts on the web along the conveying direction is predetermined to be 8 N/mm² or less. It is also disclosed that the peeling step is followed by a preheating step for preheating the web which is followed by a stretching step for stretching the web using a tenter which is followed by a relaxing step for relaxing the web by the amount less than the stretching at the stretching step.

Moreover, JP-A-2002-225054, which is intended to reduce the dried thickness of the web to a range of from 10 μm to 60 μm, reduce the mass of the web and attain excellence in durability such as moisture permeability, discloses that the web which has been peeled off the support is gripped by a clip at the edges thereof by the time at which the residual solvent content in the web reaches 10% by mass so that the width of the web can be kept constant to suppress the drying shrinkage and/or crosswise stretched to form a film having a planar alignment (S) of from 0.0008 to 0.0020 as represented by the equation S={(Nx+Ny)/2}−Nz (in which Nx represents the refractive index of the film in the in-plane direction along which the highest refractive index is exhibited, Ny represents the refractive index in the in-plane direction perpendicular to Nx and Nz represents the refractive index of the film in the thickness direction). It is also disclosed that the time between flow casting and peeling is predetermined to be from 30 seconds to 90 seconds. It is further disclosed that the web which has been peeled off the support is stretched crosswise and/or longitudinally.

Moreover, JP-A-2002-341144 discloses a solution film-forming method involving a stretching step wherein the mass concentration of the retardation raising agent has a higher optical distribution toward the center of the width of the film to suppress optical unevenness.

Further, JP-A-2003-071863, which invention is intended to obtain a film which undergoes no clouding, discloses that the crosswise draw ratio is preferably from 0% to 100%, and more preferably from 5% to 20%, most preferably from 8% to 15% if the web is used as a polarizing plate protective film. It is also disclosed that if the web is used as a retarder film, the crosswise draw ratio is more preferably from 10% to 40%, most preferably from 20% to 30%. It is further disclosed that Ro can be controlled by draw ratio and the higher the draw ratio is, the more excellent is the planarity of the resulting film. It is further disclosed that the residual solvent content in the film to be processed by a tenter is preferably from 20% to 100% by mass at the beginning of tenter process. It is further disclosed that the film is preferably dried while being tensed until the residual solvent content in the film reaches 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less.

JP-A-2002-248639, which invention is intended to reduce the longitudinal and crosswise dimensional change during storage under high temperature and humidity conditions, discloses a film producing method which comprises flow-casting a cellulose ester solution over a support, and then continuously peeling and drying the film wherein drying is effected such that the percent drying shrinkage satisfies the relationship 0≦% drying shrinkage≦0.1×% residual solvent content during peeling. In a preferred embodiment, while the residual solvent content in the cellulose ester film peeled is from 40% to 100% by mass, the cellulose ester film is tenter-conveyed with the both edges thereof gripped to reduce the residual solvent content by 30% by mass or more. The residual solvent content in the cellulose ester film peeled is from 40% to 100% by mass and from 4% to 20% by mass at the inlet and outlet of the tenter conveyor, respectively. The tension with which the cellulose ester film is tenter-conveyed increases from the inlet of the tenter conveyor to the outlet of the tenter conveyor. The tension with which the cellulose ester film is tenter-conveyed is substantially the same as the crosswise tension of the cellulose ester film.

Further, JP-A-2000-239403 proposes that film forming is effected such that the relationship between the residual solvent content X during peeling and the residual solvent content Y during introduction into tenter satisfies the expression 0.3X≦Y≦0.9× to obtain a film having a small thickness excellent in optical isotropy and planarity.

JP-A-2002-286933 exemplifies a method involving stretching under heating conditions and a method involving stretching with a solvent incorporated in the film as a method for stretching a film formed by flow-casting. It is also disclosed that the stretching under heating conditions is preferably effected at a temperature of not higher than the value in the vicinity of the glass transition point of the resin while the stretching with the cast-formed film impregnated with a solvent may be effected by drying the film, bringing the film into contact with a solvent so that the film is impregnated with the solvent, and then stretching the film.

As a method for controlling Re of the optical resin film of the invention there is preferably used a method which comprises stretching the optical resin film at a temperature of from 25° C. to 100° C. higher than the glass transition point thereof, that is, stretching the film at a temperature of from (Tg+25° C.) to (Tg+100° C.) supposing that the glass transition point of the film is Tg.

On the other hand, the transmittance of the optical film is preferably 85% or more, more preferably 90% or more. The application of the stretching method of the invention makes it possible to obtain an optical film having a higher transmittance even when the same material is used. The inventors presume that when the optical film is stretched at a very high temperature, impurities in the polymer material is evaporated to reduce scattering factors in the film.

The mechanism of stretching at high temperature to attain desired Re value at various wavelength ranges will be described hereinafter with reference to cellulose acylate as best embodiment.

A cellulose acylate is formed by a main chain composed of glucopyranose ring and side chains composed of acyl group. When the film made of cellulose acylate is stretched, the main chain extends in the stretching direction to exhibit Re. As a result of extensive studies, the inventors found that when a cellulose acylate film having Tg of 140° C. is stretched at a temperature as high as 165° C. to 240° C., Re at 450 nm is reduced while Re at 650 nm is raised.

Further, the cellulose acylate film which has thus been stretched at the same high temperature shows an X-ray diffraction peak derived from crystallization. It is thus presumed that crystallization causes the change of alignment of main chain and side chains and hence the wavelength dependence of Re.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate color shift of the liquid crystal display device, it is also important to control Rth. As a method for controlling Rth there is preferably used a method involving the spreading of a liquid crystal layer described later or a method involving the use of additives.

(Method for Controlling Rth: Method by Optically Anisotropic Layer)

As a method for controlling Rth without affecting Re developed by stretching there is preferably used a method involving the spreading of an optically anisotropic layer such as liquid crystal layer.

Specific examples of the method involving the spreading of liquid crystal layer include a method which comprises aligning a discotic liquid crystal such that the angle of the disc surface thereof with respect to the surface of the aforementioned optical resin film is 5 degrees or less (JP-A-10-312166), and a method which comprises aligning a rod-shaped liquid crystal such that the angle of the longitudinal axis thereof with respect to the surface of the aforementioned optical film is 5 degrees or less (JP-A-2000-304932).

The optically compensatory film of the invention contributes to expand the viewing angle contrast of liquid crystal display devices, particularly of OCB or VA mode, and eliminate color difference of these liquid crystal display devices dependent on the viewing angle. The optically compensatory film of the invention may be disposed either or both in between the viewer side polarizing plate and liquid crystal cell and in between the back side polarizing plate and liquid crystal cell. For example, the optically compensatory film of the invention may be incorporated as an independent member in the interior of the liquid crystal display device. Alternatively, the protective film for protecting the polarizing film in the optically compensatory film may be provided with optical properties so that the optically compensatory film can act also as a transparent film that is incorporated in the interior of liquid crystal display device as a member of the polarizing plate. The optical resin film of the invention may have an alignment film provided opposed to the optically anisotropic layer for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal compound in the optically anisotropic layer.

The aforementioned optically anisotropic layer may be formed directly on the surface of the optical resin film or on an alignment film formed on the optical resin film. Alternatively, a liquid crystal compound layer formed on a separate substrate may be transferred onto a film with an adhesive to prepare the optical resin film of the invention.

As the liquid crystal compound to be used in the formation of the optically anisotropic layer there may be used a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound or a disc-shaped liquid crystal compound (hereinafter occasionally referred to as “discotic liquid crystal compound”). The rod-shaped liquid crystal compound and the discotic liquid crystal compound each may be a polymer liquid crystal or low molecular liquid crystal. The compound which is finally incorporated in the optically anisotropic layer no longer needs to exhibit liquid crystal properties. For example, in the case where a low molecular liquid crystal compound is used to prepare the optically anisotropic layer, the low molecular liquid crystal compound may be crosslinked and no longer exhibit liquid crystal properties during the procedure of formation of optically anisotropic layer.

(Rod-Shaped Liquid Crystal Compound)

Preferred examples of the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound employable herein include azomethines, azoxys, cyanobiphenyls, cyanophenylesters, benzoic acid esters, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid phenylesters, cyanophenyl cyclohexanes, cyano-substituted phenylpyrimidines, alkoxy-substituted phenylpyrimidines, phenyldioxanes, tolans, and alkenyl cyclohexylbenzonitriles. The rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds include metal complexes. Alternatively, a liquid crystal polymer containing a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound in its repeating units may be used. In other words, the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound may be connected to (liquid crystal) polymer.

For the details of rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, reference can be made to “Quarterly Review of Chemistry”, The Chemical Society of Japan, No. 22 (1994), “Ekisho no Kagaku (Chemistry of Liquid Crystals)”, Chapters 4, 7 and 11, and “Ekisho Debaisu Handobukku (Handbook of Liquid Crystal Devices)”, compiled by 142nd Committee, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Chapter 3.

The birefringence of the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound to be used in the invention preferably falls within a range of from 0.001 to 0.7.

The rod-shaped liquid crystal compound preferably has a polymerizable group to fix its alignment. The polymerizable group is preferably an unsaturated polymerizable group or epoxy group, more preferably an unsaturated polymerizable group, most preferably an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group.

(Discotic Liquid Crystal Compound)

Examples of the discotic liquid crystal compound employable herein include benzene derivatives disclosed in C. Destrade et al's study report “Mol. Crysr.”, vol. 71, page 111, 1981, truxene derivatives disclosed in C. Destrade et al's study report “Mol. Crysr.”, vol. 122, page 141, 1985, and “Physics Lett”, A, vol. 78, page 82, 1990, cyclohexane derivatives disclosed in B. Kohne et al's study report “Angew. Chem.”, vol. 96, page 70, 1984, and azacrown-based and phenylacetylene-based macrocycles disclosed in J. M. Lehn et al's study report “J. Chem. Commun.”, page 1794, 1985 and J. Zhang et al's study report “J. Am. Chem. Soc.”, vol. 116, page 2,655, 1994.

Examples of the aforementioned discotic liquid crystal compounds include liquid crystal compounds comprising a nucleus disposed at the center of the molecule and straight-chain alkyl groups, alkoxy groups or substituted benzoyloxy groups disposed radially on the nucleus as side chains of the nucleus. The discotic liquid crystal compound is preferably a compound the molecules or molecule aggregate of which have a rotary symmetry and thus can be aligned as desired.

As mentioned above, in the case where the optically anisotropic layer is formed by a liquid crystal compound, the compound which is finally incorporated in the optically anisotropic layer no longer needs to show liquid crystal properties. For example, in the case where the low molecular discotic liquid crystal compound has a group which reacts when heated or irradiated with light so that when heated or irradiated with light, the resulting reaction of the group causes the low molecular discotic liquid crystal compound to undergo polymerization or crosslinking to form an optically anisotropic layer, the compound incorporated in the optically anisotropic layer may no longer maintain its liquid crystal properties. For the preferred examples of the discotic liquid crystal compounds, reference can be made to JP-A-8-50206. For the details of polymerization of discotic liquid crystal compound, reference can be made to JP-A-8-27284.

In order to fix the discotic liquid crystal compound by polymerization, it is necessary that polymerizable groups be connected to the disc-shaped core of the discotic liquid crystal compound as substituents. However, when polymerizable groups are directly connected to the disc-shaped core, it is difficult to keep the discotic liquid crystal molecules aligned as desired in the polymerization reaction. It is therefore preferred that connecting groups be incorporated in between the disc-shaped core and the polymerizable groups.

In the invention, the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound molecules or the disc-shaped compound molecules are preferably fixed aligned in the optically anisotropic layer. The average alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes of the liquid crystal compound on the interface on the optical film side preferably crosses the in-plane slow axis of the optical film at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The term “approximately 45 degrees” as used herein is meant to indicate an angle of 45°±5°, preferably from 42° to 48°, more preferably from 43° to 47°.

The average alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes of the liquid crystal compound can be normally adjusted by selecting the material of the liquid crystal compound or alignment film or by selecting the rubbing method.

In the invention, in the case where an optically compensatory film for OCB mode is prepared for example, an optically anisotropic layer the average alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes of liquid crystal compound of which at least on the cellulose acylate film interface is 45° with respect to the slow axis of the cellulose acylate film can be formed by preparing an optically anisotropic layer-forming alignment film by rubbing, and then rubbing the alignment film in the direction of 45° with respect to the slow axis of the optical film.

For example, the optical resin film having an optically anisotropic layer can be continuously prepared from the optical film of continuous length the slow axis of which crosses the longitudinal direction at right angle. In some detail, an optically compensatory film of continuous length can be continuously prepared by continuously spreading an alignment film-forming coating solution over the surface of the optical film of continuous length to prepare a film, continuously rubbing the surface of the film in the direction of 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction to prepare an alignment film, continuously spreading an optically anisotropic layer-forming coating solution containing a liquid crystal compound over the alignment film thus prepared, aligning the liquid crystal compound molecules, and then fixing the liquid crystal compound molecules thus aligned to prepare an optically anisotropic layer. The optically compensatory film thus prepared in a continuous length is cut into a desired shape before being incorporated in the liquid crystal display device.

Referring to the average alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes of the liquid crystal compound on the surface side thereof (air side), the average alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes of the liquid crystal compound on the air interface side thereof is preferably approximately 45°, more preferably from 42° to 48°, even more preferably from 43° to 47° with respect to the slow axis of the optical film. The average alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes of the liquid crystal compound on the air interface side thereof can be normally adjusted by selecting the kind of the liquid crystal compound used or the additives to be used therewith. Examples of the additives to be used with the liquid crystal compound include plasticizers, surface active agents, polymerizable monomers, and polymers. The degree of change of alignment direction of molecular symmetric axes, too, can be adjusted by selecting the kind of the liquid crystal compound and additives used. In particular, the selection of the surface active agent is preferably compatible with the control of surface tension of the aforementioned coating solution.

The plasticizer, surface active agent and polymerizable monomer to be used with the liquid crystal compound preferably are compatible with the discotic liquid crystal compound and can provide the liquid crystal compound with a change of tilt angle or doesn't impair the alignment of the liquid crystal compound. Polymerizable monomers (e.g., compound having vinyl group, vinyloxy group, acryloyl group or methacryloyl group) are preferably used. The added amount of the aforementioned compound is normally from 1 to 50% by mass, preferably from 5 to 30% by mass based on the mass of the liquid crystal compound. The mixing of a monomer having four or more polymerizable reactive functional groups makes it possible to enhance the adhesion between the alignment film and the optically anisotropic layer.

As the discotic liquid crystal compound to be used as a liquid crystal compound there is preferably used a polymer having some compatibility with the discotic liquid crystal compound capable of providing the discotic liquid crystal compound with a change of tilt angle.

Examples of the polymer include cellulose esters. Preferred examples of the cellulose esters employable herein include cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate butyrate. The added amount of the polymer is preferably from 0.1 to 10% by mass, more preferably from 0.1 to 8% by mass, even more preferably from 0.1 to 5% by mass based on the mass of the discotic liquid crystal compound so that the alignment of the discotic liquid crystal compound cannot be impaired.

The discotic nematic liquid crystal phase-solid phase transition temperature of the discotic liquid crystal compound is preferably from 70° C. to 300° C., more preferably from 70° C. to 170° C.

In the invention, the aforementioned optically anisotropic layer has at least in-plane optical anisotropy. The in-plane retardation Re of the aforementioned optically anisotropic layer is preferably from 3 nm to 300 nm, more preferably from 5 nm to 200 nm, even more preferably from 10 nm to 100 nm. The thickness-direction retardation Rth of the aforementioned optically anisotropic layer is preferably from 20 nm to 400 nm, more preferably from 50 nm to 200 nm. The thickness of the aforementioned optically anisotropic layer is preferably from 0.1 μm to 20 μm, more preferably from 0.5 μm to 15 μm, most preferably from 1 μm to 10 μm.

[Alignment Film]

The optical resin film of the invention may have an alignment film. Alternatively, an alignment film may be used only during the preparation of the optically anisotropic layer to form on the alignment film an optically anisotropic layer which is then transferred onto the optical film of the invention.

In the invention, the aforementioned alignment film is preferably a layer made of a crosslinked polymer. As the polymer to be used in the alignment film there may be used a polymer which can be crosslinked itself or a polymer which can be crosslinked with a crosslinking agent. The aforementioned alignment film can be formed by allowing a polymer having a functional group or a polymer having a functional group incorporated therein to react with each other upon the action of light or heat or the change of pH or by introducing a crosslinking agent which is a compound having a high reaction activity into polymer molecules so that the polymer molecules are crosslinked.

The alignment film made of a crosslinked polymer can be normally formed by spreading a coating solution containing the aforementioned polymer optionally in admixture with a crosslinking agent over a support, and then subjecting the coated support to heating or the like.

In order to suppress the generation of dust from the alignment film at the rubbing step described later, it is preferred that the degree of crosslinking of the alignment film be raised. The degree of crosslinking defined by (1−(Ma/Mb)) supposing that Mb is the amount of the crosslinking agent to be incorporated in the coating solution and Ma is the amount of the crosslinking agent left after crosslinking is preferably from 50% to 100%, more preferably from 65% to 100%, most preferably from 75% to 100%.

As the polymer to be used in the alignment film of the invention there may be used either a polymer which can be crosslinked itself or a polymer which can be crosslinked with a crosslinking agent. It goes without saying that a polymer having both the functions can be used. Examples of the aforementioned polymer include polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic acid/methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene/maleinimide copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, poly(N-methylol acrylamide), styrene/vinyl toluene copolymer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, nitrocellulose, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyolefin, polyester, polyimide, vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, polyethylene, polypropylene and polycarbonate, and compounds such as silane coupling agent. Preferred examples of the polymer include water-soluble polymers such as poly(N-methylolacrylamide), carboxymethyl cellulose, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol and modified polyvinyl alcohol. More desirable among these polymers are gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol and modified polyvinyl alcohol. Particularly preferred among these polymers are polyvinyl alcohol and modified polyvinyl alcohol.

In the case where a polyvinyl alcohol or modified polyvinyl alcohol is directly spread over the optical film (particularly cellulose acylate film) of the invention, a method involving the provision of a hydrophilic undercoating layer or saponification is preferably employed.

Preferred among the aforementioned polymers is polyvinyl alcohol or modified polyvinyl alcohol.

As the polyvinyl alcohol to be used herein there is used one having a percent saponification of from 70% to 100%, preferably from 80% to 100%, more preferably from 82% to 98%. The polymerization degree of the polyvinyl alcohol is preferably from 100 to 3,000.

Examples of the modified polyvinyl alcohol employable herein include modification products of polyvinyl alcohol such as copolymerization products of polyvinyl alcohol (Examples of the modifying group to be incorporated in the polyvinyl alcohol include COONa, Si(OX)₃, N(CH₃)₃.Cl, C₉H₁₉COO, SO₃Na, and C₁₂H₂₅), chain transfer modification products of polyvinyl alcohol (Examples of the modifying group to be incorporated in the polyvinyl alcohol include COONa, SH, and SC₁₂H₂₅) and block polymerization modification products of polyvinyl alcohol (Examples of the modifying group to be incorporated in the polyvinyl alcohol include COOH, CONH₂, COOR, and C₆H₅). The polymerization degree of the modified polyvinyl alcohol is preferably from 100 to 3,000. Preferred among these polyvinyl alcohols are unmodified or modified polyvinyl alcohols having a percent saponification of from 80% to 100%. More desirable among these polyvinyl alcohols are unmodified or alkylthio-modified polyvinyl alcohols having a percent saponification of from 85% to 95%.

The polyvinyl alcohol preferably has a crosslinking/polymerization activating group incorporated therein to render itself adhesive to the optically anisotropic layer composed of optical film ad liquid crystal. For the details of preferred examples of crosslinking/polymerization activating group, reference can be made to JP-A-8-338913.

In order to use a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol in the alignment film, the water content of the hydrophilic polymer is preferably controlled to a range of from 0.4% to 2.5%, more preferably from 0.6% to 1.6% from the standpoint of film hardness. For the measurement of water content, a commercially available Karl Fischer water content meter may be used.

The alignment film preferably has a thickness of 10 μm or less.

[Drying, Winding]

The web thus obtained is dried while being conveyed by a tenter with the both edges thereof caught by a clip and the width thereof kept constant. Subsequently, the web is conveyed over the roll block in the drying apparatus to finish drying. The web is then wound over a predetermined length using a winding machine. The combination of the tenter and the roll block constituting the drying apparatus depends on the purpose.

The cellulose acylate film thus obtained preferably has a width of from 0.5 m to 3 m, more preferably from 0.6 m to 2.5 m, even more preferably from 0.8 m to 2.2 m. The winding length of the film per roll is preferably from 100 m to 10,000 m, more preferably 500 m to 7,000 m, even more preferably from 1,000 m to 6,000 m. During winding, the film is preferably knurled at least at one edge thereof. The width of the knurl is preferably from 3 mm to 50 mm, more preferably from 5 mm to 30 mm. The height of the knurl is preferably from 0.5 μm to 500 μm, more preferably from 1 μm to 200 μm. The edge of the film may be knurled on one or both surfaces thereof.

The dispersion of crosswise Re (590) of the film is preferably ±5 nm, more preferably ±3 nm. The dispersion of crosswise Rth (590) of the film is preferably ±10 nm, more preferably ±5 nm. Further, the dispersion of longitudinal Re and Rth of the film preferably fall within the range of crosswise dispersion.

The terms “Reλ” and “Rthλ” as used herein are meant to indicate in-plane retardation and thickness direction retardation at a wavelength λ, respectively. Reλis measured by the incidence of light having a wavelength λ nm in the direction normal to the film in “KOBRA 21ADH” (produced by Ouji Scientific Instruments Co. Ltd.). Rthλ is calculated by “KOBRA 21ADH” on the basis of retardation values measured in the total three directions, i.e., Reλ, retardation value measured by the incidence of light having a wavelength λ nm in the direction inclined at an angle of +40° from the direction normal to the film with the in-plane slow axis (judged from “KOBRA 21ADH”) as an inclined axis (rotary axis), retardation value measured by the incidence of light having a wavelength λ nm in the direction inclined at an angle of −40° from the direction normal to the film.

As a hypothetical average refractive index there may be used one disclosed in “Polymer Handbook”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and various catalogues of optical films. For the cellulose acylate films having an unknown average refractive index, an Abbe refractometer may be used. The average refractive index of main optical films are exemplified below.

Cellulose acylate (1.48), cycloolefin polymer (1.52), polycarbonate (1.59), polymethylene methacrylate (1.49), polystyrene (1.59).

By inputting the hypothetic average refractive indexes and film thicknesses, KOBRA 21ADH calculates nx (refractive index in the slow axis direction), ny (refractive index in the fast axis direction) and n_(z) (refractive index in the thickness direction). KOBRA 21ADH also calculates the angle β with respect to the direction normal to the surface of the film at which the retardation value reaches minimum with respect to light propagating through the interior of the film when the in-plane slow axis is the axis of inclination.

[Evaluation of Physical Properties of Glass Transition Temperature of Film]

[Glass Transition Temperature Tg of Film]

The glass transition temperature Tg of the optical resin film is preferably from 80° C. to 165° C. From the standpoint of heat resistance, Tg of the optical resin film is more preferably from 100° C. to 160° C., particularly preferably from 110° C. to 150° C. For the measurement of glass transition temperature Tg, 10 mg of the optical resin film of the invention is subjected to calorimetry at a temperature rising rate of 5° C./min at a temperature of from ordinary temperature to 200° C. using a Type DSC2910 differential scanning calorimeter (produced by T. A. Instrument Inc.). From the measurements is then calculated glass transition temperature Tg.

[Haze of Film]

The optical resin film of the invention preferably has a haze of from 0.01% to 2.0%, more preferably from 0.05% to 1.5%, even more preferably from 0.1% to 1.0%. The film transparency is important as optical resin film. The measurement of haze is made on an optical resin film sample having a size of 40 mm×80 mm according to the invention at 25° C. and 60% RH according to JIS K-6714 using a Type HGM-2DP haze meter (produced by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd.).

[Humidity Dependence of Re and Rth of Film]

The optical resin film of the invention preferably exhibits a small change of in-plane retardation Re and thickness-direction retardation Rth with humidity. In some detail, the difference ΔRth (=Rth 10% RH−Rth 80% RH) between Rth at 25° C.-10% RH and Rth at 25° C.-80% RH is preferably from 0 nm to 50 nm, more preferably from 0 nm to 40 nm, even more preferably from 0 nm to 35 nm.

[Equilibrium Water Content of Film]

The equilibrium water content of the optical resin film of the invention at 25° C.-80% RH is preferably from 0% to 4%, more preferably from 0.1% to 3.5%, particularly preferably from 1% to 3% regardless of film thickness to prevent the impairment of the adhesion to a water-soluble polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol when used as a protective film for polarizing plate. When the equilibrium water content of the optical resin film of the invention exceeds 4%, the resulting optical resin film exhibits too great a humidity dependence of retardation to disadvantage.

The water content is measured on an optical resin film sample having a size of 7 mm×35 mm according to the invention by Karl Fischer method using a Type CA-03 water content meter and a type VA-05 sample dryer (produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation). The water content is then determined by diving the amount of water (g) by the mass of the sample (g).

[Moisture Permeability of Film]

The moisture permeability of the optical resin film of the invention is measured at a temperature of 60° C. and a humidity of 95% RH according to JIS Z0208. The moisture permeability of the optical resin film is preferably from 400 to 2,000 g/m²·24 h, more preferably from 500 to 1,800 g/m²·24 h, particularly preferably from 600 to 1,600 g/m²·24 h as calculated in equivalence of thickness of 80 μm. When the moisture permeability of the optical resin film exceeds 2,000 g/m²·24 h, the resulting optical resin film tends more to show an absolute humidity dependence of Re and Rth values of more than 0.5 nm/% RH. Further, the optical resin film of the invention tends more to show an absolute humidity dependence of Re and Rth values of more than 0.5 nm/% RH also when an optically anisotropic layer is laminated thereon. The more the thickness of the optical resin film of the invention is, the smaller is the moisture permeability of the optical resin film of the invention. The less the thickness of the optical resin film of the invention is, the greater is the moisture permeability of the optical resin film of the invention. Thus, how much thick the sample is, calculation needs to be effected in equivalence of thickness of 80 μm. The calculation of moisture permeability was made by the equation (moisture permeability in equivalence of thickness of 80 μm=measured moisture permeability×measured thickness (μm)/80 μm).

For the details of method for the measurement of moisture permeability employable herein, reference can be made to “Kobunshi no Bussei II (Polymer Physical Properties II)”, Kobunshi Jikken Koza 4, Kyoritsu Shuppan, pp. 285-294: Measurement of Vapor Permeability (mass method, thermometer method, vapor pressure method, adsorption method). The optical resin film sample having a size of 70 mmφ of the invention was moisture-conditioned at 25° C. and 90% RH for 24 hours and at 60° C. and 95% RH for 24 hours, and then calculated for water content (g/m²) per unit area according to JIS Z-0208 using a Type KK-709007 moisture permeability testing machine (produced by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-Sho, Ltd.). The moisture permeability of the optical resin film was then determined by the equation (moisture permeability)=(mass after moisture conditioned)−(mass before moisture conditioned).

[Dimensional Change of Film]

The dimensional stability of the optical resin film of the invention is preferably 0.5% or less, more preferably 0.3% or less, even more preferably 0.15% or less as calculated in terms of dimensional change after 24 hours of aging at 60° C. and 90% RH (high humidity conditions) or 90° C. and 5% RH (high temperature conditions).

In some detail, two sheets of optical resin film sample having a size of 30 mm×120 mm of the invention were prepared. The optical resin film samples were each then moisture-conditioned at 25° C. and 60% RH for 24 hours. The optical resin film samples thus moisture-conditioned were each then perforated on the both edges thereof with a hole having a diameter of 6 mmφ at an interval of 100 mm using an automatic pin gauge (produced by SHINTO SCIENTIFIC CO., LTD.). The interval of these holes was defined to be the original dimension (L0). One of the sheets of the sample thus perforated was treated at 60° C. and 90% RH for 24 hours, and then measured for the interval of holes (L1). The other sheet was treated at 90° C. and 5% RH for 24 hours, and then measured for the interval of holes (L2). All these intervals were measured to a minimum scale of 1/1000 mm.

Thus, the dimensional change at 60° C. and 90% RH was determined by the equation {|L0−L1|/L0}×100 and the dimensional change at 90° C. and 5% RH was determined by the equation {|L0−L2|/L0}×100.

[Elastic Modulus of Film]

(Elastic Modulus)

The elastic modulus of the optical resin film of the invention is preferably from 150 to 500 kgf/mm², more preferably from 180 to 470 kgf/mm², even more preferably from 200 to 440 kgf/mm². In some detail, the optical resin film sample of the invention was measured for stress at a pulling rate of 10%/min and 0.5% elongation in a 23° C.-70% atmosphere using a Type STM T50BP versatile tensile testing machine (produced by Toyo Baldwin Co., Ltd.). From the measurements of stress was then determined elastic modulus of the optical resin film of the invention.

[Photoelastic Coefficient of Film]

(Photoelastic Coefficient)

The photoelastic coefficient of the optical resin film of the invention is preferably from 50×10⁻¹³ cm²/dyne or less, more preferably 30×10⁻¹³ cm²/dyne or less, even more preferably 20×10⁻¹³ cm²/dyne or less. In some detail, the optical resin film sample having a size of 12 mm×120 mm was measured for retardation while being given a longitudinal tensile stress using a Type M150 ellipsometer (produced by JASCO Corporation). From the change of retardation with stress was then calculated photoelastic coefficient.

[Method for the Evaluation of Optical Resin Film]

The evaluation of the optical resin film of the invention was carried out by the following measurement methods.

(Molecular Alignment Axis)

A sample having a size of 70 mm×100 mm was moisture-conditioned at 25° C. and 65% RH for 2 hours, and then measured for retardation developed with the change of angle of incidence from vertical direction using a Type KOBRA21DH (produced by Ouji Scientific Instruments Co. Ltd.). From the measurements was then calculated molecular alignment axis.

(Axial Deviation)

The optical resin film of the invention was measured for axial deviation angle using a Type KOBRA-21ADH (produced by Ouji Scientific Instruments Co. Ltd.). The measurement was made on 20 points at an equal interval all over the width of the optical resin film of the invention. The absolute values thus obtained were then averaged. The range of slow axis angle (axial deviation) was determined by measuring slow axis angle on 20 points at an equal interval all over the width of the optical resin film, and then subtracting the average of greater four measurements of axial deviation from the average of smaller four measurements of axial deviation.

(Transmittance)

A sample having a size of 20 mm×70 mm was measured for transmittance of visible light (615 nm) at 25° C. and 60% RH using a Type AKA photoelectric calorimeter (produced by KOTAKI SEISAKUSHO CO., LTD.).

(Spectral Properties)

A sample having a size of 13 mm×40 mm was measured for transmittance at a wavelength of from 300 nm to 450 nm at 25° C. and 60% RH using a Type U-3210 spectrophotometer (produced by Hitachi, Ltd.). The width of tilt is obtained by subtracting the wavelength at which the transmittance is 72% from the wavelength at which the transmittance is −5%. The critical wavelength is represented by the wavelength at which (width of tilt/2)+5% is reached. The absorption edge is represented by the wavelength at which a transmittance of 0.4% is reached. Thus, the transmittance at 380 nm and 350 nm were evaluated.

[Properties of Surface of Film]

The surface roughness of the optical resin film of the invention preferably has an arithmetically averaged roughness (Ra) of 0.1 μm or less, more preferably 0.05 μm or less, and a maximum height (Ry) of 0.5 μm or less, more preferably 0.2 μm or less, according to JIS B0601-1994. The shape of raised portion and fallen portion of the surface roughness of the film can be evaluated by means of an atomic force microscope (AFM).

[Retention of Film]

In the optical resin film of the invention, the various components in the film are required to retain. In some detail, when the optical resin film of the invention is allowed to stand at 80° C. and 90% RH for 48 hours, the film preferably shows a mass change of from 0% to 5%, more preferably from 0% to 3%, even more preferably from 0% to 2%.

<Method for the Evaluation of Retention>

The sample was slit into a size of 10 cm×10 cm. The sample was measured for mass after 24 hours of aging at 23° C. and 55% RH, and then allowed to stand at 80±5° C. and 90±10° C. for 48 hours. The sample thus treated was lightly wiped on the surface thereof, allowed to stand at 23° C. and 55% RH for 1 day, and then measured for mass. The measurements were then subjected to the following calculation to determine retention. Retention (% by mass)={(mass before aging−mass after aging)/mass before aging}×100 [Dynamic Properties of Film] (Curling)

The crosswise curling of the optical resin film of the invention is preferably from −10/m to +10/m. When the crosswise curling of the optical resin film falls outside the above defined range, the optical resin film cannot be difficulty handled and thus can break during the continuous execution of the surface treatment, rubbing involved in the spreading of optically anisotropic layer and spreading and sticking of alignment film or optically anisotropic layer described later. Further, the optical resin film having such curling is brought into strong contact with the conveying rolls at the edge or central area thereof and thus can easily generate dust. Thus, more foreign matters are attached to the film, occasionally causing the rise of occurrence of point defects or frequency of coat streak on the optically compensatory film beyond the tolerance. By predetermining the degree of curling to fall within the above defined range, color mark defectives which can easily occur during the provision of optically anisotropic layer can be eliminated. Further, bubbling can be prevented during the sticking of polarizing film to advantage.

For the measurement of curling, the method defined by American National Standards Institute (ANSI/ASCPH1.29-1985) can be employed.

(Tear Strength)

The optical resin film of the invention preferably exhibits a tear strength of 2 g or more, more preferably from 5 g to 25 g, even more preferably from 6 g to 25 g when the thickness thereof is from 20 μm to 80 μm according to the tear testing method (Elmendorf tear test) defined in JIS K7128-2: 1998. The tear strength of the optical resin film preferably exhibits a tear strength of 8 g or more, more preferably from 8 g to 15 g in 60 μm equivalence. In some detail, a sample having a size of 50 mm×64 mm which has been moisture-conditioned at 25° C. and 65% RH for 2 hours can be measured for tear strength using a light load tear strength testing machine.

[Amount of Residual Solvent in Film]

The optical resin film of the invention is preferably dried under the conditions such that the amount of residual solvent therein reaches a range of from 0.01% to 1.5% by mass, more preferably from 0.01% to 1.0% by mass. When the amount of residual solvent in the transparent support to be used in the invention is 1.5% or less, preferably 1.0% or less, curling can be inhibited. This is presumably mainly attributed to the reduction of free volume caused by the reduction of amount of residual solvent during film formation by the aforementioned solvent casting method.

[Moisture Expansion Coefficient of Film]

The optical resin film of the invention preferably exhibits a moisture expansion coefficient of 30×10⁻⁵% RH or less, more preferably 15×10⁻⁵% RH or less, even more preferably 10×10⁻⁵% RH or less. The moisture expansion coefficient of the optical resin film of the invention is preferably as small as possible but is normally 1.0×10⁻⁵% RH or more. The moisture expansion coefficient indicates the change of length of sample with the change of relative humidity at a constant temperature. By properly adjusting the moisture expansion coefficient of the optical resin film, the frame-like pattern rise of transmittance, i.e., light leakage due to strain can be prevented while keeping the optical compensating capacity of the optically compensatory film when the optical resin film is used as support for optically compensatory film.

[Surface Treatment of Cellulose Acylate Film]

The cellulose acylate film which is preferably used in the invention may be optionally subjected to surface treatment to attain the enhancement of the adhesion of the cellulose acylate film to the various functional layers (e.g., undercoat layer and back layer). Examples of the surface treatment employable herein include glow discharge treatment, irradiation with ultraviolet rays, corona treatment, flame treatment, and acid or alkaline treatment. The glow discharge treatment employable herein may involve the use of low temperature plasma developed under a low gas pressure of from 10⁻³ to 20 Torr, even more preferably plasma under the atmospheric pressure. The plasma-excitable gas is a gas which can be excited by plasma under the aforementioned conditions. Examples of such a plasma-excitable gas include argon, helium, neon, krypton, xenon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, fluorocarbon such as tetrafluoromethane, and mixture thereof. For the details of these plasma-excitable gases, reference can be made to Kokai Giho No. 2001-1745, Mar. 15, 2001, pp. 30-32, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. In the plasma treatment under the atmospheric pressure, which has been recently noted, a radiation energy of from 20 to 500 Kgy is used under an electric field of from 10 to 1,000 Kev. Preferably, a radiation energy of from 20 to 300 Kgy is used under an electric field of from 30 to 500 Kev. Particularly preferred among these surface treatments is alkaline saponification, which is extremely effective for the surface treatment of the cellulose acylate film.

[Alkaline Saponification]

The alkaline saponification is preferably carried out by dipping the cellulose acylate film directly in a saponifying solution tank or by spreading a saponifying solution over the cellulose acylate film. Examples of the coating method employable herein include dip coating method, curtain coating method, extrusion coating method, bar coating method, and E type coating method. As the solvent for the alkaline saponification coating solution there is preferably selected a solvent which exhibits good wetting properties and can keep the surface conditions of the cellulose acylate film good without roughening the surface thereof because the saponifying solution is spread over the cellulose acylate film. In some detail, an alcohol-based solvent is preferably used. An isopropyl alcohol is particularly preferred. Further, an aqueous solution of a surface active agent may be used as a solvent. The alkali of the alkaline saponification coating solution is preferably an alkali soluble in the aforementioned solvent, more preferably KOH or NaOH. The pH value of the saponification coating solution is preferably 10 or more, more preferably 12 or more. During the alkaline saponification, the reaction is preferably effected at room temperature for 1 second to 5 minutes, more preferably 5 seconds to 5 minutes, particularly 20 seconds to 3 minutes. The cellulose acylate film thus alkaline-saponified is preferably washed with water or an acid and then with water on the saponifying solution-coated surface thereof.

In the case where the cellulose acylate film according to the invention is used for VA mode, two embodiments are used, i.e., embodiment comprising one sheet of cellulose acylate film provided on the both sides of a cell (two sheet type) and embodiment comprising one sheet of cellulose acylate film provided on only one side of a cell (one sheet type).

The cellulose acylate film to be used in the two sheet type, preferably has Re of from 20 nm to 100 nm, more preferably from 30 nm to 70 nm and Rth of from 70 nm to 300 nm, more preferably from 100 nm to 200 nm.

The cellulose acylate film to be used in the one sheet type, preferably has Re of from 30 nm to 150 nm, more preferably from 40 nm to 100 nm and Rth of from 100 nm to 400 nm, more preferably from 150 nm to 250 nm.

The dispersion of the angle of in-plane slow axis of the cellulose acylate film according to the invention preferably falls within a range of from −2° to 2°, more preferably from −1° to 1°, most preferably from −0.5° to 0.5° with respect to the reference direction of the rolled film. The term “reference direction” as used herein is meant to indicate the longitudinal direction of the rolled film in the case where the cellulose acylate film is longitudinally stretched or the crosswise direction in the case where the cellulose acylate film is crosswise stretched.

In the case where the optical resin film according to the invention such as cellulose acylate film is used as a protective film for polarizing plate, the method for the preparation of the polarizing plate is not specifically limited. Any ordinary method may be employed. For example, the optical resin film of the invention may be subjected to alkaline treatment and then stuck with an aqueous solution of a fully-saponified polyvinyl alcohol to the both sides of a polarizer prepared by dipping a polyvinyl alcohol film in an iodine solution and then stretching the film. The aforementioned alkaline treatment may be replaced by an adhesion treatment as disclosed in JP-A-6-94915 and JP-A-6-118232. Examples of the adhesive with which the treated surface of the protective film and the polarizer are stuck to each other include polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl butyral, and vinyl-based latexes such as butyl acrylate. The polarizing plate comprises a polarizer and a protective film for protecting the both sides thereof. Further, a protect film may be stuck to one side of the polarizing plate while a separate film may be stuck to the other side thereof. The protective film and the separate film are used for the purpose of protecting the polarizing plate at the step of inspecting the product during the shipment of the polarizing plate. In this case, the protective film is stuck to the polarizing plate on the side thereof opposite the side at which the polarizing plate is stuck to the liquid crystal cell for the purpose of protecting the surface of the polarizing plate. The separate film is stuck to the polarizing plate on the side thereof at which the polarizing plate is stuck to the liquid crystal cell for the purpose of covering the adhesive layer stuck to the liquid crystal cell.

Referring to the sticking of the optical resin film according to the invention such as cellulose acylate film to the polarizer, arrangement is preferably made such that the transmission axis of the polarizer and the slow axis of the cellulose acylate film according to the invention coincide with each other.

When the accuracy of crossing of the slow axis of the cellulose acylate film according to the invention with the absorption axis of the polarizer (axis that crosses the transmission axis) is greater than 1°, the polarizing plate prepared under crossed nicols exhibits deteriorated polarization under crossed nicols to undergo light leakage, making it impossible to provide a sufficient black level or contrast when combined with a liquid crystal cell. Accordingly, the deviation of the direction of main refractive index nx of the cellulose acylate film according to the invention and the direction of the transmission axis of the polarizing plate from each other is 1° or less, preferably 0.5° or less.

The sticking of the polarizing plate to the liquid crystal cell is normally carried out by attaching the polarizing plate to a perforated suction fixture, peeling the separate film off the surface of the adhesive layer formed by the spreading of the adhesive, bringing the surface of the adhesive layer into contact with the liquid crystal cell, and then pressing the liquid crystal cell against the adhesive layer using a roller. During this procedure, when the polarizing plate is curled toward the liquid crystal cell, the suction of the polarizing plate by the suction fixture cannot be sufficiently made, causing deviation of angle of attachment to the suction fixture and hence deviation of sticking to the liquid crystal cell. Thus, display properties cannot be obtained as designed. Further, during the job of sticking to the liquid crystal cell, the polarizing plate comes off the suction fixture, making it impossible to continue the sticking job. Thus, the sticking job can occasionally be suspended.

In order to prevent the occurrence of such malsticking of polarizing plate, the curling of the polarizing plate is preferably predetermined to fall within a range of from −30 mm to +15 mm, more preferably from −20 mm to +5 mm, most preferably from −10 mm to 0 mm. When the polarizing plate is curled toward the side thereof on which it is stuck to the liquid crystal cell (side on which the adhesive is spread=adhesive layer side), it is called + (plus) curling. When the polarizing plate is curled away from the adhesive layer side thereof, it is called − (minus) curling. The curling can be controlled by adjusting the relationship between the thickness, elastic modulus and moisture expansion coefficient of the protective film on the liquid crystal cell side and the protective film on the side opposite the liquid crystal cell.

Further, the polarizing plate of the invention preferably comprises at least one of hard coat layer, anti-glare layer and anti-reflection film provided on the surface of the protective film on one side of the polarizing plate. In some detail, during the use of the polarizing plate in the liquid crystal display device, the protective film disposed on the viewing side of the liquid crystal cell preferably comprises a functional film such as anti-reflection film provided thereon. As such a functional film there is preferably provided at least one of hard coat layer, anti-glare layer and anti-reflection layer.

FIG. 7 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the sectional configuration of an example of the polarizing plate of the invention (glass for liquid crystal cell also shown for the sake of explanation). In FIG. 7, protective films 72 and 73 are provided on the respective side of a polarizer 71. At least one of the protective films 72 and 73 has an optical resin film of the invention. The polarizing plate 70 is stuck to a glass for liquid crystal cell 75 with an adhesive layer 74. FIG. 8 is a view diagrammatically illustrating the sectional configuration of another example of the polarizing plate of the invention. The embodiment of FIG. 8 has a functional film 81 as mentioned above provided on the polarizing plate of FIG. 7.

It is not necessary that the various layers be provided as individual layer. For example, the anti-glare layer may be provided by providing the anti-reflection layer or hard coat layer with such a function so that the anti-reflection layer can act both as anti-reflection layer and anti-glare layer.

(Anti-Reflection Layer)

In the invention, an anti-reflection layer comprising a light-scattering layer and a low refractive index layer laminated on a protective layer in this order or an anti-reflection layer comprising a middle refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer laminated on a protective layer in this order is preferably used. Preferred examples of such an anti-reflection layer will be given below.

A preferred example of the anti-reflection layer comprising a light-scattering layer and a low refractive index layer provided on a protective layer will be described below.

The light-scattering layer preferably has a particulate mat dispersed therein. The refractive index of the material of the light-scattering layer other than the particulate mat is preferably from 1.50 to 2.00. The refractive index of the low refractive index layer is preferably from 1.20 to 1.49. In the invention, the light-scattering layer has both anti-glare properties and hard coating properties. The light-scattering layer may be formed by a single layer or a plurality of layers such as two to four layers.

The anti-reflection layer is preferably designed in its surface roughness such that the central line average roughness Ra is from 0.08 to 0.40 μm, the ten point averaged roughness Rz is 10 times or less Ra, the average distance between mountain and valley Sm is from 1 to 100 μm, the standard deviation of the height of mountains from the deepest portion in roughness is 0.5 μm or less, the standard deviation of the average distance between mountain and valley Sm with central line as reference is 20 μm or less and the proportion of the surface having an inclination angle of from 0 to 5 degrees is 10% or more, making it possible to attain sufficient anti-glare properties and visually uniform matte finish. Further, when the tint of reflected light under C light source comprises a* value of −2 to 2 and b* value of −3 to 3 and the ratio of minimum reflectance to maximum reflectance at a wavelength of from 380 nm to 780 nm is from 0.5 to 0.99, the tint of reflected light is neutral to advantage. Moreover, when the b* value of transmitted light under C light source is predetermined to range from 0 to 3, the yellow tint of white display for use in display devices is reduced to advantage. Further, when a lattice of having a size of 120 μm×40 μm is disposed interposed between the planar light source and the anti-reflection film of the invention so that the standard deviation of brightness distribution measured over the film is 20 or less, glare developed when the film of the invention is applied to a high precision panel can be eliminated to advantage.

When the optical properties of the anti-reflection layer according to the invention are such that the specular reflectance is 2.5% or less, the transmission is 90% or more and the 60° gloss is 70% or less, the reflection of external light can be inhibited, making it possible to enhance the viewability to advantage. In particular, the specular reflectance is more preferably 1% or less, most preferably 0.5% or less. When the haze is from 20% to 50%, the ratio of inner haze to total haze is from 0.3 to 1, the reduction of haze from that up to the light-scattering layer to that developed after the formation of the low refractive index layer is 15% or less, the sharpness of transmitted image at an optical comb width of 0.5 mm is from 20% to 50% and the ratio of transmission of vertical transmitted light to transmission of transmitted light in the direction of 2 degrees from the vertical direction is from 1.5 to 5.0, the prevention of glare on a high precision LCD panel and the elimination of blurring of letters, etc. can be attained to advantage.

(Low Refractive Index Layer)

The refractive index of the low refractive index layer employable herein is preferably from 1.20 to 1.49, more preferably from 1.30 to 1.44. Further, the low refractive index layer preferably satisfies the following numerical formula to advantage from the standpoint of reduction of reflectance. (m/4)λ×0.7<n ¹ d ¹<(m/4)λ×1.3 wherein m represents a positive odd number; n¹ represents the refractive index of the low refractive index layer; and d¹ represents the thickness (nm) of the low refractive index layer. λ is a wavelength ranging from 500 nm to 550 nm.

The materials constituting the low refractive index layer will be described hereinafter.

The low refractive index layer preferably comprises a fluorine-containing polymer incorporated therein as a low refractive binder. As such a fluorine-based polymer there is preferably used a thermally or ionized radiation-crosslinkable fluorine-containing polymer having a dynamic friction coefficient of from 0.03 to 0.20, a contact angle of from 90 to 1200 with respect to water and a purified water slip angle of 70° or less. As the peel force of the polarizing plate of the invention with respect to a commercially available adhesive tape during the mounting on the image display device decreases, the polarizing plate can be more easily peeled after the sticking of seal or memo to advantage. The peel force of the polarizing plate is preferably 500 gf or less, more preferably 300 gf or less, most preferably 100 gf or less as measured by a tensile testing machine. The higher the surface hardness as measured by a microhardness meter is, the more difficultly can be damaged the low refractive index layer. The surface hardness of the low refractive index layer is preferably 0.3 GPa or more, more preferably 0.5 GPa or more.

Examples of the fluorine-containing polymer to be used in the low refractive index layer include hydrolyzates and dehydration condensates of perfluoroalkyl group-containing silane compounds (e.g., (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)triethoxysilane). Other examples of the fluorine-containing polymer include fluorine-containing copolymers comprising a fluorine-containing monomer unit and a constituent unit for providing crosslinking reactivity as constituent components.

Specific examples of the fluorine-containing monomers include fluoroolefins (e.g., fluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, perfluorooctylethylene, hexafluoropropylene, perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxol), partly or fully fluorinated alkylester derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid (e.g., Biscoat 6FM (produced by OSAKA ORGANIC CHEMICAL INDUSTRY LTD.), M-2020 (produced by DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd.), and fully or partly fluorinated vinyl ethers. Preferred among these fluorine-containing monomers are perfluoroolefins. Particularly preferred among these fluorine-containing monomers is hexafluoropropylene from the standpoint of refractive index, solubility, transparency, availability, etc.

Examples of the constituent unit for providing crosslinking reactivity include constituent units obtained by the polymerization of monomers previously having a self-crosslinking functional group such as glycidyl (meth)acrylate and glycidyl vinyl ether, constituent units obtained by the polymerization of monomers having carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, amino group, sulfo group or the like (e.g., (meth)acrylic acid, methyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate, allyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl vinyl ether, hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, maleic acid, crotonic acid), and constituent units obtained by introducing a crosslinking reactive group such as (meth)acryloyl group into these constituent units by a polymer reaction (e.g., by reacting acrylic acid chloride with hydroxyl group).

Besides the aforementioned fluorine-containing monomer units and constituent units for providing crosslinking reactivity, monomers free of fluorine atom may be properly copolymerized from the standpoint of solubility in the solvent, transparency of the film, etc. The monomer units which can be used in combination with the aforementioned monomer units are not specifically limited. Examples of these monomer units include olefins (e.g., ethylene, propylene, isoprene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride), acrylic acid esters (e.g., methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate), methacrylic acid esters (e.g., methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), styrene derivatives (e.g., styrene, divinyl ether, vinyl toluene, α-methyl styrene), vinylethers (e.g., methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, cyclohexyl vinyl ether), vinylesters (e.g., vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl cinnamate), acrylamides (e.g., N-tert-butyl acrylamide, N-cyclohexyl acrylamide), methacrylamides, and acrylonitrile derivatives.

The aforementioned polymers may be used properly in combination with a hardener as disclosed in JP-A-10-25388 and JP-A-10-147739.

(Light-Scattering Layer)

The light-scattering layer is formed for the purpose of providing the film with light-scattering properties developed by at least one of surface scattering and inner scattering and hard coating properties for the enhancement of scratch resistance of the film. Accordingly, the light-scattering layer comprises a binder for providing hard coating properties, a particulate mat for providing light diffusibility and optionally an inorganic filler for the enhancement of refractive index, the prevention of crosslink shrinkage and the enhancement of strength incorporated therein. Further, the light-scattering layer thus provided acts also as an anti-glare layer to provide the polarizing plate with an anti-glare layer.

The thickness of the light-scattering layer is from 1 to 10 μm, more preferably from 1.2 to 6 μm for the purpose of providing hard coating properties. When the thickness of the light-scattering layer is too small, the resulting polarizing plate exhibits lacks hard coating properties. On the contrary, when the thickness of the light-scattering layer is too great, the resulting polarizing plate exhibits deteriorated curling resistance or worsened brittleness leading to insufficient workability.

The binder to be incorporated in the light-scattering layer is preferably a polymer having a saturated hydrocarbon chain or polyether chain as a main chain, more preferably a polymer having a saturated hydrocarbon chain as a main chain. The binder polymer preferably has a crosslinked structure. As the binder polymer having a saturated hydrocarbon chain as a main chain there is preferably used a (co)polymer of monomers having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups. In order to provide the binder polymer with a higher refractive index, those containing an aromatic ring or at least one atom selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms other than fluorine, sulfur atom, phosphorus atom and nitrogen atom may be selected.

Examples of the monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups include esters of polyvalent alcohol with (meth)acrylic acid (e.g., ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, butanediol di(meth)acrylate, hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, 1,4-cyclohexanediacrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylolethane tri(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta(meth)acrylate, dipentaerithritol hexa(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, 1,2,3-cyclohexane tetramethacrylate, polyurethane polyacrylate, polyester polyacrylate), modification products of the aforementioned ethylene oxides, vinylbenzene and derivatives thereof (e.g., 1,4-divinylbenzene, 4-vinyl benzoic acid-2-acryloylethylester, 1,4-divinyl cyclohexanone), vinylsulfones (e.g., divinylsulfone), acrylamides (e.g., methylenebisacrylamide), and methacrylamides. The aforementioned monomers may be used in combination of two or more thereof.

Specific examples of the high refractive monomer include bis(4-methacryloylthiophenyl)sulfide, vinyl naphthalene, vinyl phenyl sulfide, and 4-methacryloxy phenyl-4′-methoxyphenylthioether. These monomers, too, may be used in combination of two or more thereof.

The polymerization of the monomers having these ethylenically unsaturated groups can be effected by irradiation with ionized radiation or heating in the presence of a photo-radical polymerization initiator or heat-radical polymerization initiator.

Accordingly, an anti-reflection layer can be formed by a process which comprises preparing a coating solution containing a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group, a photo-polymerization initiator or heat radical polymerization initiator, a particulate mat and an inorganic filler, spreading the coating solution over the protective layer, and then irradiating the coat with ionized radiation or applying heat to the coat to cause polymerization reaction and curing. As such a photo-polymerization initiator or the like there may be used any compound known as such.

As the polymer having a polyether as a main chain there is preferably used an open-ring polymerization product of polyfunctional epoxy compound. The open-ring polymerization of the polyfunctional epoxy compound can be carried out by the irradiation of the polyfunctional epoxy compound with ionized radiation or applying heat to the polyfunctional epoxy compound in the presence of a photo-acid generator or heat-acid generator. Accordingly, the anti-reflection layer can be formed by a process which comprises preparing a coating solution containing a polyfunctional epoxy compound, a photo-acid generator or heat-acid generator, a particulate mat and an inorganic filler, spreading the coating solution over the protective layer, and then irradiating the coat layer with ionized radiation or applying heat to the coat layer to cause polymerization reaction and curing.

Instead of or in addition to the monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups, a monomer having a crosslinkable functional group may be used to incorporate a crosslinkable functional group in the polymer so that the crosslinkable functional group is reacted to incorporate a crosslinked structure in the binder polymer.

Examples of the crosslinkable functional group include isocyanate group, epoxy group, aziridin group, oxazoline group, aldehyde group, carbonyl group, hydrazine group, carboxyl group, methylol group, and active methylene group. Vinylsulfonic acids, acid anhydrides, cyanoacrylate derivatives, melamines, etherified methylol, esters, urethane, and metal alkoxides such as tetramethoxysilane, too, may be used as monomers for introducing crosslinked structure. Functional groups which exhibit crosslinkability as a result of decomposition reaction such as block isocyanate group may be used. In other words, in the invention, the crosslinkable functional group may not be reactive as they are but may become reactive as a result of decomposition reaction.

These binder polymers having a crosslinkable functional group may be spread and heated to form a crosslinked structure.

The light-scattering layer comprises a particulate mat incorporated therein having an average particle diameter which is greater than that of filler particles and ranges from 1 to 10 μm, preferably from 1.5 to 7.0 μm, such as inorganic particulate compound and particulate resin for the purpose of providing itself with anti-glare properties.

Specific examples of the aforementioned particulate mat include inorganic particulate compounds such as particulate silica and particulate TiO₂, and particulate resins such as particulate acryl, particulate crosslinked acryl, particulate polystyrene, particulate crosslinked styrene, particulate melamine resin and particulate benzoguanamine resin. Preferred among these particulate resins are particulate crosslinked styrene, particulate crosslinked acryl, particulate crosslinked acryl styrene, and particulate silica. The particulate mat may be either spherical or amorphous.

Two or more particulate mats having different particle diameters may be used in combination. A particulate mat having a greater particle diameter may be used to provide the light-scattering layer with anti-glare properties. A particulate mat having a greater particle diameter may be used to provide the light-scattering layer with other optical properties.

Further, the distribution of the particle diameter of the mat particles is most preferably monodisperse. The particle diameter of the various particles are preferably as close to each other as possible. For example, in the case where a particle having a diameter of 20% or more greater than the average particle diameter is defined as coarse particle, the proportion of these coarse particles is preferably 1% or less, more preferably 0.1% or less, even more preferably 0.01% or less of the total number of particles. A particulate mat having a particle diameter distribution falling within the above defined range can be obtained by properly classifying the mat particles obtained by an ordinary synthesis method. By raising the number of classifying steps or intensifying the degree of classification, a matting agent having a better distribution can be obtained.

The aforementioned particulate mat is incorporated in the light-scattering layer in such a manner that the proportion of the particulate mat in the light-scattering layer is from 10 to 1,000 mg/m², more preferably from 100 to 700 mg/m².

For the measurement of the distribution of particle size of mat particles, a coulter counter method. The particle size distribution thus measured is then converted to distribution of number of particles.

The light-scattering layer preferably comprises an inorganic filler made of an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, aluminum, indium, zinc, tin and antimony having an average particle diameter of 0.2 μm or less, preferably 0.1 μm or less, more preferably 0.06 μm or less incorporated therein in addition to the aforementioned particulate mat to enhance the refractive index thereof. In order to enhance the difference of refractive index from the particulate mat, the light-scattering layer comprising a high refractive particulate mat incorporated therein preferably comprises a silicon oxide incorporated therein for keeping the refractive index thereof somewhat low. The preferred particle diameter of the particulate silicon oxide is the same as that of the aforementioned inorganic filler.

Specific examples of the inorganic filler to be incorporated in the light-scattering layer include TiO₂, ZrO₂, Al₂O₃, In₂O₃, ZnO, SnO₂, Sb₂O₃, ITO, and SiO₂. Particularly preferred among these inorganic fillers are TiO₂ and ZrO₂ from the standpoint of enhancement of refractive index. The inorganic filler is preferably subjected to silane coupling treatment or titanium coupling treatment on the surface thereof. To this end, a surface treatment having a functional group reactive with the binder seed on the surface thereof is preferably used.

The amount of the inorganic filler to be incorporated is preferably from 10% to 90%, more preferably from 20% to 80%, particularly from 30% to 75% based on the total mass of the light-scattering layer.

Such a filler has a particle diameter which is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of light and thus causes no scattering. Thus, a dispersion having such a filler dispersed in a binder polymer behaves as an optically uniform material.

The bulk refractive index of the mixture of binder and inorganic filler in the light-scattering layer is preferably from 1.50 to 2.00, more preferably from 1.51 to 1.80. In order to predetermine the bulk refractive index of the mixture within the above defined range, the kind and proportion of the binder and the inorganic filler may be properly selected. How to select these factors can be previously easily known experimentally.

In order to keep the light-scattering layer uniform in surface conditions such as uniformity in coating and drying and prevention of point defects, the coating solution for forming the light-scattering layer comprises either or both of fluorine-based surface active agent and silicone-based surface active agent incorporated therein. In particular, a fluorine-based surface active agent is preferably used because it can be used in a smaller amount to exert an effect of eliminating surface defects such as unevenness in coating and drying and point defects of the anti-reflection film of the invention. Such a fluorine-based surface active agent is intended to render the coating solution adaptable to high speed coating while enhancing the uniformity in surface conditions, thereby raising the productivity.

The anti-reflection layer comprising a middle refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer laminated on a protective film in this order will be described hereinafter.

The anti-reflection layer comprising a layer structure having at least a middle refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer (outermost layer) laminated on a protective film in this order is designed so as to have a refractive index satisfying the following relationship.

Refractive index of high refractive index layer>refractive index of middle refractive index layer>refractive index of protective film>refractive index of low refractive index layer

Further, a hard coat layer may be provided interposed between the protective film and the middle refractive index layer. Moreover, the anti-reflection layer may comprise a middle refractive hard coat layer, a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer laminated on each other.

Examples of such an anti-reflection layer include those disclosed in JP-A-8-122504, JP-A-8-110401, JP-A-10-300902, JP-A-2002-243906, and JP-A-2000-111706.

Further, the various layers may be provided with other functions. Examples of these layers include stain-proof low refractive index layer, and antistatic high refractive index layer (as disclosed in JP-A-10-206603, JP-A-2002-243906).

The haze of the anti-reflection layer is preferably 5% or less, more preferably 3% or less. The strength of the anti-reflection layer is preferably not lower than H, more preferably not lower than 2H, most preferably not lower than 3H as determined by pencil hardness test method according to JIS K5400.

(High Refractive Index Layer and Middle Refractive Index Layer)

The layer having a high refractive index in the anti-reflection layer is formed by a hardened layer containing at least a high refractive inorganic particulate compound having an average particle diameter of 100 nm or less and a matrix binder.

As the high refractive inorganic particulate compound there may be used an inorganic compound having a refractive index of 1.65 or more, preferably 1.9 or more. Examples of such a high refractive inorganic particulate compound include oxides of Ti, Zn, Sb, Sn, Zr, Ce, Ta, La and In, and composite oxides of these metal atoms.

In order to provide such a particulate material, the following requirements need to be satisfied. For example, the surface of the particles must be treated with a surface treatment (e.g., silane coupling agent as disclosed in JP-A-11-295503, JP-A-11-153703, and JP-A-2000-9908, anionic compound or organic metal coupling agent as disclosed in JP-A-2001-310432). Further, the particles must have a core-shell structure comprising a high refractive particle as a core (as disclosed in JP-A-2001-166104). A specific dispersant must be used at the same time (as disclosed in JP-A-11-153703, U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,858B1, JP-A-2002-277609).

Examples of the matrix-forming materials include known thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, etc.

Preferred examples of the matrix-forming materials include polyfunctional compound-containing compositions having two or more of at least any of radically polymerizable group and cationically polymerizable group, compositions having an organic metal compound containing a hydrolyzable group, and at least one selected from the group consisting of compositions containing a partial condensate thereof.

Examples of these materials include compounds as disclosed in JP-A-2000-47004, JP-A-2001-315242, JP-A-2001-31871, and JP-A-2001-296401.

Further, a colloidal metal oxide obtained from a hydrolytic condensate of metal alkoxide and a curable layer obtained from a metal alkoxide composition are preferably used. For the details of these materials, reference can be made to JP-A-2001-293818.

The refractive index of the high refractive index layer is preferably from 1.70 to 2.20. The thickness of the high refractive index layer is preferably from 5 nm to 10 μm, more preferably from 10 nm to 1 μm.

The refractive index of the middle refractive index layer is adjusted so as to fall between the refractive index of the low refractive index layer and the high refractive index layer. The refractive index of the middle refractive index layer is preferably from 1.50 to 1.70. The thickness of the middle refractive index layer is preferably from 5 nm to 10 μm, more preferably from 10 nm to 1 μm.

(Low Refractive Index Layer)

The low refractive index layer is laminated on the high refractive index layer. The refractive index of the low refractive index layer is preferably from 1.20 to 1.55, more preferably from 1.30 to 1.50.

The low refractive index layer is preferably designed as an outermost layer having scratch resistance and stain resistance. In order to drastically raise the scratch resistance of the low refractive index layer, a thin layer which can effectively provide surface slipperiness may be formed on the low refractive index layer by introducing a known silicone or fluorine thereinto.

As the fluorine-containing compound there is preferably used a compound containing a crosslinkable or polymerizable functional group having fluorine atoms in an amount of from 35 to 80% by mass.

Examples of such a compound include those disclosed in JP-A-9-222503, paragraphs [0018]-[0026], JP-A-11-38202, paragraphs [0019]-[0030], JP-A-2001-40284, paragraphs [0027]-[0028], and JP-A-2000-284102.

The refractive index of the fluorine-containing compound is preferably from 1.35 to 1.50, more preferably from 1.36 to 1.47.

As the silicone compound there is preferably used a compound having a polysiloxane structure wherein a curable functional group or polymerizable functional group is incorporated in the polymer chain to form a bridged structure in the film. Examples of such a compound include reactive silicones (e.g., SILAPLANE, produced by CHISSO CORPORATION), and polysiloxanes having silanol group at both ends thereof (as disclosed in JP-A-11-258403).

In order to effect the crosslinking or polymerization reaction of at least any of fluorine-containing polymer and siloxane polymer having crosslinkable or polymerizable group, the coating composition for forming the outermost layer containing a polymerization initiator, a sensitizer, etc. is preferably irradiated with light or heated at the same time with or after spreading to form a low refractive index layer.

Further, a sol-gel cured film obtained by curing an organic metal compound such as silane coupling agent and a silane coupling agent containing a specific fluorine-containing hydrocarbon group in the presence of a catalyst is preferably used.

Examples of such a sol-gel cured film include polyfluoroalkyl group-containing silane compounds and partial hydrolytic condensates thereof (compounds as disclosed in JP-A-58-142958, JP-A-58-147483, JP-A-58-147484, JP-A-9-157582, and JP-A-11-106704), and silyl compounds having poly(perfluoroalkylether) group as a fluorine-containing long chain (compounds as disclosed in JP-A-2000-117902, JP-A-2001-48590, JP-A-2002-53804).

The low refractive index layer may comprise a filler (e.g., low refractive inorganic compound having a primary average particle diameter of from 1 to 150 nm such as particulate silicon dioxide (silica) and particulate fluorine-containing material (magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, barium fluoride), organic particulate material as disclosed in JP-A-11-3820, paragraphs [0020]-[0038]), a silane coupling agent, a lubricant, a surface active agent, etc. incorporated therein as additives other than the aforementioned additives.

In the case where the low refractive index layer is disposed under the outermost layer, the low refractive index layer may be formed by a gas phase method (vacuum metallizing method, sputtering method, ion plating method, plasma CVD method, etc.). A coating method is desirable because the low refractive index layer can be produced at reduced cost.

The thickness of the low refractive index layer is preferably from 30 nm to 200 nm, more preferably from 50 nm to 150 nm, most preferably from 60 nm to 120 nm.

(Hard Coat Layer)

The hard coat layer is normally provided on the surface of the protective film to give a physical strength to the protective film having an anti-reflection layer provided thereon. In particular, the hard coat layer is preferably provided interposed between the transparent support and the aforementioned high refractive index layer. The hard coat layer is preferably formed by the crosslinking reaction or polymerization reaction of a photosetting and/or thermosetting compound. The curable functional group in the curable compound is preferably a photopolymerizable functional group. Further, an organic metal compound or organic alkoxysilyl compound containing a hydrolyzable functional group is desirable.

Specific examples of these compounds include the same compounds as exemplified with reference to the high refractive index layer. Specific examples of the composition constituting the hard coat layer include those described in JP-A-2002-144913, JP-A-2000-9908, and pamphlet of WO00/46617.

The high refractive index layer may act also as a hard coat layer. In this case, particles may be finely dispersed in a hard coat layer in the same manner as described with reference to the high refractive index layer to form a high refractive index layer.

The hard coat layer may comprise particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 μm to 10 μm incorporated therein to act also as an anti-glare layer provided with anti-glare properties.

The thickness of the hard coat layer may be properly designed depending on the purpose. The thickness of the hard coat layer is preferably from 0.2 μm to 10 μm, more preferably from 0.5 μm to 7 μm.

The strength of the hard coat layer is preferably not lower than H, more preferably not lower than 2H, most preferably not lower than 3H as determined by pencil hardness test according to JIS K5400. The abrasion of the test specimen is preferably as little as possible when subjected to taper test according to JIS K5400.

(Other Layers in Anti-Reflection Layer)

Further, a forward scattering layer, a primer layer, an antistatic layer, an undercoating layer, a protective layer, etc, may be provided.

(Antistatic Layer)

The antistatic layer, if provided, is preferably given an electrical conductivity of 10⁻⁸ (Ωcm⁻³) or less as calculated in terms of volume resistivity. The use of a hygroscopic material, a water-soluble inorganic salt, a certain kind of a surface active agent, a cation polymer, an anion polymer, colloidal silica, etc. makes it possible to provide a volume resistivity of 10⁻⁸ (Ωcm⁻³). However, these materials have a great dependence on temperature and humidity and thus cannot provide a sufficient electrical conductivity at low humidity. Therefore, as the electrically conductive layer material there is preferably used a metal oxide. Some metal oxides have a color. The use of such a colored metal oxide as an electrically conductive layer material causes the entire film to be colored to disadvantage. Examples of metal that forms a colorless metal oxide include Zn, Ti, Sn, Al, In, Si, Mg, Ba, Mo, W, and V. Metal oxides mainly composed of these metals are preferably used. Specific examples of these metal oxides include ZnO, TiO₂, SnO₂, Al₂O₃, In₂O₃, SiO₂, MgO, BaO, MoO₃, WO₃, V₂O₅, and composites thereof. Particularly preferred among these metal oxides are ZnO, TiO₂, and SnO₂. Referring to the incorporation of different kinds of atoms, Al, In, etc. are effectively added to ZnO. Sb, Nb, halogen atoms, etc. are effectively added to SnO₂. Nb, Ta, etc. are effectively added to TiO₂. Further, as disclosed in JP-B-59-6235, materials comprising the aforementioned metal oxide attached to other crystalline metal particles or fibrous materials (e.g., titanium oxide) may be used. Volume resistivity and surface resistivity are different physical values and thus cannot be simply compared with each other. However, in order to provide an electrical conductivity of 10⁻⁸ (Ωcm⁻³) or less as calculated in terms of volume resistivity, it suffices if the electrically conductive layer has an electrical conductivity of 10⁻¹⁰ (Ω/□) or less, and preferably 10⁻⁸ (Ω/□) or less, as calculated in terms of surface resistivity. It is necessary that the surface resistivity of the electrically conductive layer be measured when the antistatic layer is provided as an outermost layer. The measurement of surface resistivity can be effected at a step in the course of the formation of laminated film described herein.

<Liquid Crystal Display Device>

The polarizing plate of the invention can be used in liquid crystal display devices, especially transmissive liquid crystal display devices to advantage. The polarizing plate of the invention can be used in liquid crystal cells of various display modes. Various display modes such as TN (Twisted Nematic), IPS (In-Plane Switching), FLC (Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal), AFLC (Anti-ferroelectric Liquid Crystal), OCB (Optically Compensatory Bend), STN (Super Twisted Nematic), VA (Vertically Aligned) and HAN (Hybrid Aligned Nematic) have been proposed. Preferred among these display modes is VA mode.

In a VA mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are vertically oriented when no voltage is applied.

VA mode liquid crystal cells include (1) liquid crystal cell in VA mode in a narrow sense in which rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are oriented substantially vertically when no voltage is applied but substantially horizontally when a voltage is applied (as disclosed in JP-A-2-176625). In addition to the VA mode liquid crystal cell (1), there have been provided (2) liquid crystal cell of VA mode which is multidomained to expand the viewing angle (MVA mode) (as disclosed in SID97, Digest of Tech. Papers (preprint) 28 (1997), 845), (3) liquid crystal cell of mode in which rod-shaped molecules are oriented substantially vertically when no voltage is applied but oriented in twisted multidomained mode when a voltage is applied (n-ASM mode, CPA mode) (as disclosed in Preprints of Symposium on Japanese Liquid Crystal Society Nos. 58 to 59, 1988 and (4) liquid crystal cell of SURVAIVAL mode (as reported in LCD International 98).

As a VA mode liquid crystal display device there may be used one comprising a liquid crystal cell (VA mode cell) and two sheets of polarizing plates disposed on the respective side thereof. The liquid crystal cell has a liquid crystal provided interposed between the two sheets of electrode substrates.

FIGS. 9 and 10 each depict an example of the configuration of a liquid crystal display device of the invention.

In FIG. 9, protective films 72 and 73 are provided on the respective side of a polarizer 71. At least one of the protective films 72 and 73 has an optical resin film of the invention. The optical resin film of the invention is preferably provided on the liquid crystal cell side of the polarizer 71. A functional film 81 is provided on the protective film 72 (observer side). The polarizing plate 70 is stuck to a glass for liquid crystal cell 92 with an adhesive layer 74 interposed therebetween. A liquid crystal cell 90 comprises a liquid crystal layer 91 provided interposed between the glass sheets for liquid crystal cell 92 and 93. A polarizing plate 70′ is stuck to the glass for liquid crystal 93 on the light source side with an adhesive layer 74′ interposed therebetween. The polarizing plate 70′ comprises protective films 72′ and 73′ provided on the respective side of a polarizer 71′. In the invention, either or both of the polarizing plates 70 and 70′ may have an optical resin film of the invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a liquid crystal display device of the invention in more detail. In FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal cell comprising a liquid crystal layer 107 and an upper substrate 106 and a lower substrate 108 with the liquid crystal layer 107 interposed therebetween. The upper substrate 106 and the lower substrate 108 are subjected to alignment treatment on the liquid crystal side thereof. Polarizers 101 and 201 are provided with the liquid crystal cell interposed therebetween. The transmission axes 102 and 202 of the polarizers 101 and 201, respectively, are disposed perpendicular to each other and at an angle of 45° from the direction of alignment of the liquid crystal layer 107 in the liquid crystal cell. Disposed interposed between the polarizers 101 and 201 and the liquid crystal cell are optical resin films 103 a and 203 a of the invention and optically anisotropic layers 105 and 109, respectively.

The optical resin films 103 a and 203 a have its in-plane slow axes 104 a and 204 a disposed parallel to the direction of the transmission axes 102 and 202 of the polarizers 101 and 201 disposed adjacent thereto, respectively.

An OCB mode liquid crystal cell is a liquid crystal cell of bend alignment mode wherein rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are oriented in substantially opposing directions (symmetrically) from the upper part to the lower part of the liquid crystal cell. OCB mode liquid crystal cells are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,825 and 5,410,422. In the OCB mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are oriented symmetrically with each other from the upper part to the lower part of the liquid crystal cell. Therefore, the bend alignment mode liquid crystal cell has a self optical compensation capacity.

Accordingly, this liquid crystal mode is also called OCB (optically compensatory bend) liquid crystal mode. The bend alignment mode liquid crystal display device is advantageous in that it has a high response.

In a TN mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially horizontally and twist-aligned at an angle of from 60° to 120°.

A TN mode liquid crystal cell is most widely used as a color TFT liquid crystal display device. For details, reference can be made to many literatures.

In the case where a protective film other than the optical resin film of the invention is used, any ordinary cellulose acylate may be used. Examples of such a cellulose acylate film include commercially available products such as KC4UX2M (produced by Konica Minolta Opto Products Co., Ltd.; 40 μm), KC5UX (produced by Konica Minolta Opto Products Co., Ltd.; 60 μm), KC80UVSFD (produced by Konica Minolta Opto Products Co., Ltd.; 80 μm), TD80U (produced by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.; 80 μm), and TF80U (produced by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.; 80 μm). However, the invention is not limited to these products.

EXAMPLE

The invention will be further described in the following examples, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1

(Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Film)

A mixture obtained by uniformly stirring 100 parts by mass of cellulose made from linter pulp and glacial acetic acid in an amount of 100 parts by mass based on the mass of cellulose was added to a chilled mixture of 245 parts by mass of acetic anhydride, 365 parts by mass of acetic acid and 15 parts by mass of sulfuric acid as a catalyst in a reaction vessel where they were then subjected to acetylation at 47° C. for 60 minutes. During the termination of acetylation reaction, 45.5 parts by mass of an aqueous solution of magnesium acetate (30 mass-%) for hydrolyzation and neutralization was added to the reaction mixture so that the excess acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid were subjected to hydrolyzation and neutralization, respectively. Thereafter, to the reaction solution was added about 12.8 parts by mass of an aqueous solution of magnesium acetate (30 mass-%) for ripening while being heated to 60° C. Thereafter, to the reaction solution was added water. The reaction solution was then subjected to ripening reaction at 70° C. for 40 minutes. After the termination of ripening reaction, to the reaction solution was added about 20 parts by mass of an aqueous solution of magnesium acetate (30 mass-%) to completely neutralize sulfuric acid and terminate the reaction. After the termination of the reaction, the reaction product was subjected to precipitation and washing with a large excess of water, and then dried.

The following components were charged in a mixing tank where they were then heated with stirring so that they were dissolved to prepare a cellulose triacetate (triacetyl cellulose: TAC) solution. At the same time, to 100 parts by mass of cellulose acylate were 0.05 parts by mass of a matting agent (AEROSIL R972, produced by NIPPON AEROSIL CO., LTD.) as particulate material, 0.3 parts by mass of the following ultraviolet absorber 1 and 0.7 parts by mass of the following ultraviolet absorber 2 to complete a dope. Material/solvent formulation Cellulose acetate (substitution 100 parts by mass degree: 2.81; acetylation degree: 60.2%) Triphenyl phosphate (plasticizer) 6.5 parts by mass Biphenyl diphenyl phosphate 5.2 parts by mass (plasticizer) Methylene chloride (1st solvent) 500 parts by mass Methanol (2nd solvent) 80 parts by mass Retardation raising agent shown below 1.0 parts by mass (λmax = 230 nm) Retardation raising agent

Ultraviolet absorber 1

Ultraviolet absorber 2

(Flow Casting)

The aforementioned dope was flow-casted over a stainless steel belt at a dope temperature of 40° C. with a width of 2.1 m. The dope thus flow-casted was dried for 1 minute over the stainless steel belt which had been temperature-controlled by bringing 25° C. tepid water into contact with the back surface thereof, retained for 20 seconds on the stainless steel belt into the back surface of which 25° C. chilled water had been brought into contact, and then peeled off the stainless steel belt.

Thereafter, the film was dried with 140° C. drying air for 15 minutes. Thereafter, the film was monoaxially stretched by 120% at 170° C. The film used had Tg of 140° C.

The film thus prepared had a thickness of 70 μm. The film was moisture-conditioned at 25° C. and 55% RH for 2 hours, and then measured for Re (550) using a Type M150 ellipsometer (produced by JASCO Corporation). The result was 62 nm. The film was also measured for retardation value at 550 nm (Rth (550)). The result was 170 nm.

(Preparation of Film Nos. 2 and 3)

Films having optical properties set forth in Table 1 were prepared in the same manner as Film No. 1 except that the stretching temperature and ultraviolet absorber were changed.

All the films obtained in the present example showed a haze of from 0.1 to 0.9, a matting agent secondary average particle diameter of 1.0 μm or less and a mass change of from 0% to 3% developed after 48 hours of standing at 80° C.-90% RH. Further, all the samples showed a photoelastic coefficient of 50×10⁻¹³ cm²/dyn or less.

[Preparation of Polarizing Plates 1 to 3]

A polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film having a thickness of 75 μm and a polymerization degree of 2,400 was allowed to swell with 30° C. tepid water for 40 seconds, dipped in a 6 mass-% aqueous solution of potassium iodide (iodide content: 0.06 mass-%) at 30° C. for 60 seconds so that it was dyed, and then stretched longitudinally by a factor of 5.0 while being dipped in an aqueous solution having a boric acid concentration of 4% by mass and a potassium iodide concentration of 3% by mass at 40° C. for 60 seconds. Thereafter, the polyvinyl alcohol film was dried at 50° C. for 4 minutes to obtain a polarizer.

The cellulose acylate film Nos. 1 to 3 which had been already prepared was dipped in a 1.5 mol/l aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide having a temperature of 55° C., and then thoroughly washed with water to remove sodium hydroxide. Thereafter, the cellulose acylate film Nos. 1 to 3 were dipped in a 0.005 mol/l diluted aqueous solution of sulfuric acid having a temperature of 35° C. for 1 minute, and then dipped in water so that the diluted aqueous solution of sulfuric acid was washed away. Finally, the sample was thoroughly dried at 120° C.

Each of the cellulose acylate films 1 to 3 thus saponified and “TD80U” (produced by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) were stuck to each other with a polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesive with the aforementioned polarizer film interposed therebetween. The laminate was then heated to 70° C. for 30 minutes. Thereafter, the film was crosswise trimmed by 3 cm at the both edges thereof to prepare rolled polarizers 1 to 3 having an effective width of 1,000 mm and a length of 50 m.

[Spreading of Adhesive Layer]

(Preparation of acrylic polymer solution)

75 parts by mass of n-butyl acrylate (n-BA), 20 parts by mass of methyl acrylate (MA), 5 parts by mass of 2-hydroxy acrylate (2-HEA), 100 parts by mass of ethyl acetate and 0.2 parts by mass of azobisisobutylonitrile (AIBN) were charged in a reaction vessel in which the air within was then replaced by nitrogen gas. The reaction vessel was then heated to 60° C. with the reaction mixture being stirred in a nitrogen atmosphere so that the reaction mixture was reacted for 4 hours. After 4 hours, to the reaction mixture were then added 100 parts by mass of toluene, 5 parts by mass of α-methyl styrene and 2 parts by mass of AIBN. The reaction mixture was heated to 90° C. where it was then reacted for 4 hours. After reaction, the reaction product was diluted with ethyl acetate to obtain an acryl polymer solution having a solid content of 20%. To the polymer solution in an amount of solid content of 100 parts by mass were then added 1.0 parts by mass of an isocyanate-based crosslinking agent (trade name: Colonate L, produced by NIPPON POLYURETHANE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.). The mixture was then thoroughly stirred to obtain an adhesive composition.

(Preparation of Polarizing Plates with Adhesive 1 to 3)

An adhesive is to be applied to the polarizing plates 1 to 3 prepared above.

The aforementioned adhesive composition containing an acryl polymer solution was spread over a release-treated polyester film to form an adhesive layer thereon to a thickness of 25 μm. The adhesive layer thus formed was transferred to the polarizing plate (on the protective film on the cell side) which was then ripened at a temperature of 23° C. and a humidity of 65% for 7 days to prepare polarizing plates with adhesive 1 to 3. A separate film was then stuck to the adhesive layer. A protect film was stuck to the protective film on the side of the polarizing plate opposite the cell.

[Moisture Conditioning of Polarizing Plate]

The polarizing plate with adhesive 1 thus obtained was cut into a size of 41 cm×30 cm (in such an arrangement that the absorption axis of the polarizing plate was parallel to one of the sides). The protect film was then peeled off the polarizing plate. The polarizing plate was then moisture-conditioned in an atmosphere of 25° C. and 60% RH for 48 hours.

[Mounting on Panel]

(Mounting on VA Panel)

The polarizing plate and the retardation plate were peeled off a VA mode liquid crystal TV (LC-20C5, produced by SHARP CORPORATION) on the both sides thereof. The polarizing plates 1 to 3 which had been prepared and moisture-conditioned in the aforementioned examples were each stuck to the back side of the liquid crystal TV using a laminator roll. A commercially available polarizing plate free of viewing angle compensatory plate (HLC2-5618, produced by SANRITZ) was stuck to the front side of the liquid crystal TV using a laminator roll. Thus, a liquid crystal panel was prepared.

During this procedure, arrangement was made such that the absorption axis of the polarizing plate on the viewing side was disposed parallel to the panel, the absorption axis of the polarizing plate on the back light side was disposed perpendicular to the panel and the adhesive surface was disposed on the liquid crystal cell side.

The liquid crystal panel having a polarizing plate stuck thereto was then used to assemble a liquid crystal TV. The back light of the liquid crystal TV was then turned on. The color shift Δx at an azimuthal angle of 0°, a polar angle of 60° and front ways were then determined. The measurement was made at 10 points on the screen. The measurements were then averaged to give Δx. The results are set forth in Table 1 below.

Color shift: sum (u′v′: chromaticity coordinate in CIELAB space) of ΔCu′v′ at an azimuthal angle of 45°: u′v′ (polar angle of 60°)-u′v′ (polar angle of 0°) and ΔCu′v′ at an azimuthal angle of 135°: u′v′ (polar angle of 60°)-u′v′ (polar angle of 0°) TABLE 1 Example 1 Re Re [Re(450)/ [Re(650)/ (450)/ (650)/ Rth(450)]/ Rth(650)]/ Film Re Re Re Rth Rth Rth Re Re [Re(550)/ [Re(550)/ Color Stretching Ultraviolet absorber No. (450) (550) (650) (450) (550) (650) (550) (550) Rth(550)] Rth(550)] shift temp. added ? Remarks 1 55 62 69 175 170 165 0.89 1.11 0.86 1.15 76 Tg + 30° C. Yes Inventive 2 51 62 69 165 165 165 0.82 1.11 0.82 1.11 81 Tg + 30° C. No Inventive 3 62 61 61 175 176 176 1.02 1.00 1.02 1.00 100 Tg + 5° C. Yes Comparative Color shit is represented relative to the display property of Film No. 3 as 100. The smaller this figure is, the less is color shift. Color shift: sum (u′v′: chromaticity coordinate in CIELAB space) of ΔCu′v′ at an azimuthal angle of 45°: u′v′ (polar angle of 60°) - u′v′ (polar angle of 0°) and ΔCu′v′ at an azimuthal angle of 135°: u′v′ (polar angle of 60°) ′u′v′ (polar angle of 0°)

As can be seen in Table 1, the liquid crystal display device comprising a film having the optical properties of the invention shows little color shift to advantage.

Example 2

A film was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the film thickness was changed as set forth in Table 2. A liquid crystal television was prepared from the film in the same manner as in Example 1. The liquid crystal television thus prepared was then evaluated for color shift under varying environmental conditions set forth in Table 2. In some detail, the liquid crystal TV was allowed to stand under the environmental conditions (temperature/relative humidity) set forth in Table 2 for 12 hours, and then measured for color shift. The results are set forth in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Example 2 [Re [Re (450)/ (650)/ Rth Rth (450)]/ (650)]/ Re Re [Re [Re (450)/ (650)/ (550)/ (550)/ Film Color shift Film Re Re Re Rth Rth Rth Re Re Rth Rth thickness (25° C.) No. (450) (550) (650) (450) (550) (650) (550) (550) (550)] (550)] (μm) 60% 10% 80% Remarks 21 55 62 69 175 170 165 0.89 1.11 0.86 1.15 70 100 103 98 Invent. 22 55 62 69 175 170 165 0.89 1.11 0.86 1.15 100 115 125 123 Compar. 23 55 62 69 175 170 165 0.89 1.11 0.86 1.15 50 101 103 99 Invent. Color shift is represented relative to that of the display device comprising Film No. 21 as 100 (measured at 25° C.-60%).

As can be seen in Table 2 above, the predetermination of the thickness of film within the range defined in the invention makes it possible to obtain a display device having little color shift.

Example 3

A 1.0 N solution of potassium hydroxide (solvent: water/isopropyl alcohol/propylene glycol=69.2 parts by mass/15 parts by mass/15.8 parts by mass) was spread over the film prepared in Example 1 on the band side thereof at a rate of 10 cc/m². The coated film was then kept at about 40° C. for 30 seconds. The alkaline solution was scratched off the coat film. The coated film was washed with purified water. Water droplets were then blown off the coated film with air from an air knife. Thereafter, the coated film was dried at 100° C. for 15 seconds. The film thus processed was then measured for contact angle with respect to purified water. The result was 42°.

(Preparation of Alignment Film)

A alignment film coating solution having the following formulation was spread over each of Film Nos. 1 to 3 at a rate of 28 ml/m² using a #16 wire bar coater. The coated films were each dried with 60° C. hot air for 60 seconds and then with 90° C. hot air for 150 seconds to prepare an alignment film. Formulation of alignment film coating solution Modified polyvinyl alcohol shown below 10 parts by mass Water 371 parts by mass Methanol 119 parts by mass Glutaraldehyde (crosslinking agent) 0.5 parts by mass Citric acid ester (AS3, produced by 0.35 parts by mass Sankyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Modified polyvinyl alcohol

The alignment film thus dried has a thickness of 1.1 μm. The alignment film thus formed was then measured for surface roughness by means of an atomic force microscope (AFM: Atomic Force Microscope, SPI3800N, produced by Seiko Instruments Inc.). The result was 1.136 nm.

(Formation of Optically Anisotropic Layer)

A coating solution containing a discotic liquid crystal having the following formulation was continuously spread over the film which was being conveyed at a rate of 20 m/min on the alignment film side thereof using a #2.8 wire bar which was being rotated in the same direction as the conveying direction of the film at 400 rpm. Formulation of discotic liquid crystal layer coating solution Discotic liquid crystal compound 28.6% by mass shown below Compound shown below (additive for 0.2% by mass aligning the disc surface at 5 degrees or less) Ethylene oxide-modified trimethylol 2.5% by mass propane acrylate (V#360, produced by OSAKA ORGANIC CHEMICAL INDUSTRY LTD.) Sensitizer (Kayacure DETX, produced 0.3% by mass by NIPPON KAYAKU CO., LTD.) Photopolymerization initiator 1.2% by mass (Irgacure 907, produced by Ciba Geigy Inc.) Methyl ethyl ketone 67.2% by mass Discotic liquid crystal compound

At a step of continuously heating from room temperature to 100° C., the film was dried to remove the solvent. Thereafter, the film was heated in a 135° C. drying zone for about 80 seconds in such a manner that the wind velocity on the surface of the discotic liquid crystal compound layer was 2.5 m/sec to align the discotic liquid crystal compound. Subsequently, the film was irradiated with ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet ray emitter (ultraviolet lamp: output: 120 W/cm) for 5 seconds while the surface temperature was about 135° C. to allow crosslinking reaction to proceed so that the discotic liquid crystal compound was fixed aligned. The thickness of the optically anisotropic layer was 0.3 μm. Thereafter, the film was allowed to cool to room temperature, and then wound in cylindrical form to form a roll. Thus, a rolled optically compensatory film was prepared.

The angle of the disc surface of the discotic liquid crystal compound with respect to the surface of the transparent polymer film was 0 degree.

Film Nos. 31, 32 and 33 were then measured for optical properties. The results are set forth in Table 3 below.

The optically compensatory films thus obtained was observed for unevenness with the polarizing plate disposed in crossed Nicols. As a result, no unevenness was detected even when these optically compensatory films were observed at front ways and in the direction of 60° from the line normal to the surface thereof.

These films were each mounted on a liquid crystal display device in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate color shift. The results are set forth in Table 3 below.

The effect of the invention can be remarkably exerted on films having an optically anisotropic layer. TABLE 3 Example 3 [Re [Re (450)/ (650)/ Rth Rth (450)]/ (650)]/ Re Re [Re [Re (450)/ (650)/ (550)/ (550)/ Film Re Re Re Rth Rth Rth Re Re Rth Rth Color No. (450) (550) (650) (450) (550) (650) (550) (550) (550)] (550)] shift Remarks 31 56 63 70 277 271 264 0.89 1.11 0.87 1.14 92 Inventive 32 52 61 70 266 265 265 0.85 1.15 0.85 1.15 100 Inventive 33 62 61 61 275 275 275 1.02 1.00 1.02 1.00 125 Comparative Color shit is represented relative to the display property of Film No. 32 as 100. The smaller this figure is, the less is color shift.

Example 4

[Preparation of Protective Film with Anti-Reflection Properties (Film 25)]

(Preparation of Light-Scattering Layer Coating Solution)

50 g of a mixture of pentaerythritol triacrylate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETA, produced by NIPPON KAYAKU CO., LTD.) was diluted with 38.5 g of toluene. Further, to the solution was added 2 g of a polymerization initiator (Irgacure 184, produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.). The mixture was then stirred. The solution thus obtained was spread, and then ultraviolet-cured to obtain a coat layer having a refractive index of 1.51.

To the solution were then added 1.7 g of a 30% toluene dispersion of a particulate crosslinked polystyrene having an average particle diameter of 3.5 μm (refractive index: 1.60; SX-350, produced by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.) which had been dispersed at 10,000 rpm using a polytron dispersing machine for 20 minutes and 13.3 g of a 30% toluene dispersion of a particulate crosslinked acryl-styrene having an average particle diameter of 3.5 μm (refractive index: 1.55, produced by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.) which had been dispersed at 10,000 rpm using a polytron dispersing machine for 20 minutes. Finally, to the mixture were added 0.75 g of a fluorine-based surface modifier (FP-1) and 10 g of a silane coupling agent (KBM-5103, produced by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) to obtain a completed solution.

The aforementioned mixture was then filtered through a polypropylene filter having a pore diameter of 30 μm to prepare a light-scattering layer coating solution.

(Preparation of Low Refractive Index Layer Coating Solution)

Firstly, a sol a was prepared in the following manner. In some detail, 120 parts of methyl ethyl ketone, 100 parts of an acryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (KBM5103, produced by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 3 parts of diisopropoxyaluminum ethyl acetoacetate were charged in a reaction vessel equipped with an agitator and a reflux condenser to make mixture. To the mixture were then added 30 parts of deionized water. The mixture was reacted at 60° C. for 4 hours, and then allowed to cool to room temperature to obtain a sol a. The mass-average molecular weight of the sol was 1,600. The proportion of components having a molecular weight of from 1,000 to 20,000 in the oligomer components was 100%. The gas chromatography of the sol showed that no acryloyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane which is a raw material had been left.

13 g of a thermally-crosslinkable fluorine-containing polymer (JN-7228; solid concentration: 6%; produced by JSR Co., Ltd.) having a refractive index of 1.42, 1.3 g of silica sol (silica having a particle size different from that MEK-ST; average particle size: 45 nm; solid concentration: 30%; produced by NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.), 0.6 g of the sol a thus prepared, 5 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 0.6 g of cyclohexanone were mixed with stirring. The solution was then filtered through a polypropylene filter having a pore diameter of 1 μm to prepare a low refractive index layer coating solution.

(Preparation of Transparent Protective Film with Anti-Reflection Layer)

The aforementioned coating solution for functional layer (light-scattering layer) was spread over a triacetyl cellulose film having a thickness of 80 μm (Fujitac TD80U, produced by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) which was being unwound from a roll at a gravure rotary speed of 30 rpm and a conveying speed of 30 m/min using a microgravure roll with a diameter of 50 mm having 180 lines/inch and a depth of 40 μm and a doctor blade. The coated film was dried at 60° C. for 150 seconds, irradiated with ultraviolet rays at an illuminance of 400 mW/cm² and a dose of 250 mJ/cm² from an air-cooled metal halide lamp having an output of 160 W/cm (produced by EYE GRAPHICS CO., LTD.) in an atmosphere in which the air within had been purged with nitrogen so that the coat layer was cured to form a functional layer to a thickness of 6 μm. The film was then wound.

The coating solution for low refractive layer thus prepared was spread over the triacetyl cellulose film having the functional layer (light-scattering layer) provided thereon was being unwound at a gravure rotary speed of 30 rpm and a conveying speed of 15 m/min using a microgravure roll with a diameter of 50 mm having 180 lines/inch and a depth of 40 μm and a doctor blade. The coated film was dried at 120° C. for 150 seconds and then at 140° C. for 8 minutes. The film was irradiated with ultraviolet rays at an illuminance of 400 mW/cm² and a dose of 900 mJ/cm² from an air-cooled metal halide lamp having an output of 240 W/cm (produced by EYE GRAPHICS CO., LTD.) in an atmosphere in which the air within had been purged with nitrogen to form a low refractive layer to a thickness of 100 nm. The film was then wound to prepare a protective film with anti-reflection properties (Film 25).

[Protective Film 26 with Anti-Reflection Properties]

(Preparation of Hard Coat Layer Coating Solution)

To 750.0 parts by mass of a trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA, produced by NIPPON KAYAKU CO., LTD.) were added 270.0 parts by mass of a poly(glycidyl methacrylate) having a mass-average molecular weight of 3,000, 730.0 g of methyl ethyl ketone, 500.0 g of cyclohexanone and 50.0 g of a photopolymerization initiator (Irgacure 184, produced by Ciba Geigy Japan Inc.). The mixture was then stirred. The mixture was then filtered through a polypropylene filter having a pore diameter of 0.4 μm to prepare a hard coat layer coating solution.

(Preparation of Dispersion of Particulate Titanium Dioxide)

As the particulate titanium dioxide there was used a particulate titanium dioxide containing cobalt surface-treated with aluminum hydroxide and zirconium hydroxide (MPT-129, produced by ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA, LTD.).

To 257.1 g of the particulate titanium dioxide were then added 38.6 g of the following dispersant and 704.3 g of cyclohexanone. The mixture was then dispersed using a dinomill to prepare a dispersion of titanium dioxide particles having a mass-average particle diameter of 70 nm.

(Preparation of Middle Refractive Index Layer Coating Solution)

To 88.9 g of the aforementioned dispersion of titanium dioxide particles were added 58.4 g of a mixture of dipentaerytritol petaacrylate and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA), 3.1 g of a photopolymerization initiator (Irgacure 907), 1.1 g of a photosensitizer (Kayacure DETX, produced by NIPPON KAYAKU CO., LTD.), 482.4 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 1,869.8 g of cyclohexanone. The mixture was then stirred. The mixture was thoroughly stirred, and then filtered through a polypropylene filter having a pore diameter of 0.4 μm to prepare a middle refractive index layer coating solution.

(Preparation of High Refractive Index Layer Coating Solution)

To 586.8 g of the aforementioned dispersion of titanium dioxide particles were added 47.9 g of a mixture of dipentaerytritol petaacrylate and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA), 4.0 g of a photopolymerization initiator (Irgacure 907), 1.3 g of a photosensitizer (Kayacure DETX, produced by NIPPON KAYAKU CO., LTD.), 455.8 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 1,427.8 g of cyclohexanone. The mixture was then stirred. The mixture was thoroughly stirred, and then filtered through a polypropylene filter having a pore diameter of 0.4 μm to prepare a high refractive index layer coating solution.

(Preparation of Low Refractive Index Layer Coating Solution)

The copolymer (P-1) having the following structure was dissolved in methyl isobutyl ketone in such an amount that the concentration reached 7% by mass. To the solution were then added a methacrylate group-terminated silicone resin X-22-164C (produced by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) and a photoradical generator Irgacure 907 (trade name) in an amount of 3% and 5% by mass based on the solid content, respectively, to prepare a low refractive index layer coating solution. Copolymer (P-1)

(Preparation of Transparent Protective Film with Anti-Reflection Layer)

A hard coat layer coating solution was spread over a triacetyl cellulose film having a thickness of 80 μm (Fujitack TD80U, produced by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) using a gravure coater. The coated film was dried at 100° C., and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays at an illuminance of 400 mW/cm² and a dose of 300 mJ/cm² from an air-cooled metal halide lamp having an output of 160 W/cm (produced by EYE GRAPHICS CO., LTD.) in an atmosphere in which the air within had been purged with nitrogen to reach an oxygen concentration of 1.0 vol-% so that the coat layer was cured to form a hard coat layer to a thickness of 8 μm.

The middle refractive index layer coating solution, the high refractive index layer coating solution and the low refractive index layer coating solution were continuously spread over the hard coat layer using a gravure coater having three coating stations.

The drying conditions of the middle refractive index layer were 100° C. and 2 minutes. Referring to the ultraviolet curing conditions, the air in the atmosphere was purged with nitrogen so that the oxygen concentration reached 1.0 vol-%. In this atmosphere, ultraviolet rays were emitted at an illuminance of 400 mW/cm² and a dose of 400 mJ/cm² by an air-cooled metal halide lamp having an output of 180 W/cm² (produced by EYE GRAPHICS CO., LTD.). The middle refractive index layer thus cured had a refractive index of 1.630 and a thickness of 67 nm.

The drying conditions of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer were 90° C. and 1 minute followed by 100° C. and 1 minute. Referring to the ultraviolet curing conditions, the air in the atmosphere was purged with nitrogen so that the oxygen concentration reached 1.0 vol-%. In this atmosphere, ultraviolet rays were emitted at an illuminance of 600 mW/cm² and a dose of 600 mJ/cm² by an air-cooled metal halide lamp having an output of 240 W/cm² (produced by EYE GRAPHICS CO., LTD.).

The high refractive layer thus cured had a refractive index of 1.905 and a thickness of 107 nm and the low refractive layer thus cured had a refractive index of 1.440 and a thickness of 85 nm. Thus, a transparent protective film with anti-reflection layer (Film 26) was prepared.

The polarizing plate preparation process of Example 1 was followed except that TD80U was replaced by the aforementioned Films 25 and 26. These films satisfy the requirements of the invention. These samples were each then evaluated for color shift in the same manner as in Example 1.

The effect of the invention can be remarkably exerted even on a protective film having a hard coat layer and an anti-reflection layer (Film Nos. 25 and 26).

Example 5

Formation of Cellulose Acylate Film

(1) Cellulose Acylate

To a cellulose as a raw material was added sulfuric acid as a catalyst. To the mixture was then added carboxylic anhydride as a raw material of acyl substituent to cause acylation reaction. Thereafter, the reaction product was subjected to neutralization, saponification and ripening to prepare a cellulose acylate. During this procedure, the amount of the catalyst, the kind and amount of carboxylic anhydride, the added amount of neutralizing agent, the added amount of water, the reaction temperature and the ripening temperature were properly adjusted to prepare cellulose acylates having different kinds of acyl group, substitution degrees, bulk specific gravities and polymerization degrees. The low molecular components in these cellulose acylates were then washed away with acetone.

Among the cellulose acylates thus prepared, those having an acetyl substitution degree of 2.85 and DS6/(DS2+DS3+DS6) of 0.325 were used to prepare a dope having the following formulation.

(2) Preparation of Dope

<1-1> Cellulose Acylate Solution

The following components were charged in a mixing tank where they were then stirred to make a solution which was heated to 90° C. for about 10 minutes, and then filtered through a filter paper having an average pore diameter of 34 μm and a sintered metal filter having an average pore diameter of 10 μm. Cellulose acylate solution Cellulose acylate 100.0 parts by mass Triphenyl phosphate 6.0 parts by mass Biphenyl diphenyl phosphate 3.0 parts by mass Methylene chloride 403.0 parts by mass Methanol 65.0 parts by mass <1-2> Matting Agent Dispersion

Subsequently, the following composition containing the cellulose acylate solution thus prepared was charged in a dispersing machine to prepare a matting agent dispersion. Matting agent dispersion Particulate silica having average 2.0 parts by mass particle diameter of 16 nm (“Aerosil R972”, produced by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) Methylene chloride 72.4 parts by mass Methanol 10.8 parts by mass Cellulose acylate solution 10.3 parts by mass <1-3> Retardation Developer Solution

Subsequently, the following composition containing the cellulose acylate solution prepared above was put in a mixing tank where it was then heated with stirring to make a solution as retardation developer solution A. Retardation developer solution Retardation developer A 15.0 parts by mass Methylene chloride 58.3 parts by mass Methanol 8.7 parts by mass Cellulose acylate solution 12.8 parts by mass

100 parts by mass of the aforementioned cellulose acylate solution, 2.35 parts by mass of the matting agent dispersion, and a retardation developer solution in an amount such that the amount of the retardation developer A in the cellulose acylate film was 2.5 parts by mass were mixed to prepare a film-forming dope. Retardation Developer A

(Flow Casting)

The aforementioned dope was flow-casted using a glass sheet flow-casting device. The dope thus flow-casted was dried with hot air having a temperature of 70° C. for 6 minutes, and then peeled off the glass sheet. The film thus formed was then fixed to a frame. The film was dried with hot air having a temperature of 100° C. for 10 minutes and then with hot air having a temperature of 100° C. for 30 minutes to prepare a cellulose acylate film having a thickness of 70 μm.

The film thus obtained was then subjected to stretching and shrinkage under the conditions set forth in Table 5 while being gripped at the four sides thereof by a biaxial stretching device (produced by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-Sho, Ltd.). The stretching and shrinkage were effected under common conditions. In some detail, the film was preheated at a feed air temperature specified in the various examples for 2 minutes before these steps. Thereafter, the film was stretched in TD direction and relaxed in MD direction at the same feed air temperature. After the termination of these steps, the film was cooled with flowing air for 5 minutes while being kept gripped by the clip. MD in the table indicates the direction of flow casting during flow casting over glass sheet. TD indicates the crosswise direction perpendicular to MD. Films having different thicknesses set forth in Table 4 were prepared in the same manner as above except that the amount of dope and additives were changed. The films thus obtained were used as Films 51 to 54, respectively.

<Re and Rth of Film at Wavelength of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm>

These films were each measured for Re and Rth at a wavelength of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm by the method described previously using KOBRA 21ADH (produced by Ouji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.).

Further, polarizing plates and liquid crystal display devices were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. These polarizing plates and liquid crystal display devices were then evaluated for color shift under varying environmental conditions set forth in Table 4. The results are set forth in Table 4 below.

The display devices comprising a film having a thickness falling within the range defined herein show little tint change with ambient humidity and thus can remarkably enjoy the effect of the invention. TABLE 4 Example 5 Stretching/ Rth shrinking % % (450)/ Film temp. Stretching Shrinking Re Re Re Rth Rth Rth Rth No. (° C.) factor factor (450) (550) (650) (450) (550) (650) (550) 51 175 50 30 65 75 85 220 210 200 0.87 52 175 50 30 68 77 86 223 215 205 0.88 53 175 50 30 62 73 83 222 212 203 0.85 54 175 50 30 62 71 83 213 208 208 0.87 [Re [Re (450)/ (650)/ Rth Rth (450)]/ (650)]/ Rth [Re [Re (650)/ (550)/ (550)/ Color shift Film Rth Rth Rth Film (25° C.) No. (550) (550)] (550)] thickness 60% 10% 80% Remarks 51 1.13 0.83 1.19 70 100 108 109 Inventive 52 1.12 0.85 1.17 110 100 155 165 Compar. 53 1.14 0.81 1.19 45 100 105 108 Inventive 54 1.17 0.85 1.17 85 100 145 155 Compar. Color shift is represented as tin change with humidity relative to tint at 25° C.-60% as 100. The color shift is preferably as close to 100 as possible even with the change of humidity.

Example 6

A 1.0 N solution of potassium hydroxide (solvent: water/isopropyl alcohol/propylene glycol=69.2 parts by mass/15 parts by mass/15.8 parts by mass) was spread over the cellulose acylate films 51 to 54 prepared in Example 5 at a rate of 10 cc/m², and then kept at about 40° C. for 30 seconds. Thereafter, the alkaline solution was scratched off the coat film. The coated film was washed with purified water. Water droplets were then blown off the coated film with air from an air knife. Thereafter, the coated film was dried at 100° C. for 18 seconds.

The alkali-treated surface of the film was then measured for contact angle with respect to purified water. The result was 38°.

(Formation of Alignment Film)

An alignment film coating solution having the following formulation was spread over the alkali-treated surface of the film at a rate of 28 ml/m² using a #16 wire bar coater. The coated film was then dried with 60° C. hot air for 60 seconds and then with 90° C. hot air for 150 seconds to form an alignment film. Formulation of alignment film coating solution Modified polyvinyl alcohol shown below 10 parts by mass Water 371 parts by mass Methanol 119 parts by mass Glutaraldehyde (crosslinking agent) 0.5 parts by mass Citric acid ester (AS3, produced by 0.35 parts by mass Sankyo Chemical Co., Ltd.) Modified polyvinyl alcohol

(Rubbing)

The transparent support having an alignment film formed thereon was subjected to rubbing on the alignment film surface thereof while being conveyed at a rate of 20 m/min with a rubbing roll (diameter: 300 mm) being rotated at 650 rpm. The rubbing roll had been arranged such that rubbing is effected at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal direction. The length of contact of the rubbing roll with the transparent support was 18 mm.

(Formation of Optically Anisotropic Layer)

32.03 kg of the following discotic liquid crystal compound, 3.75 kg of an ethylene oxide-modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate (V#360, produced by OSAKA ORGANIC CHEMICAL INDUSTRY LTD.), 0.35 kg of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB531-1, produced by Eastman Chemical Co., Ltd.), 1.31 kg of a photopolymerization initiator (Irgacure 907, produced by Nihon Ciba-Geigy K.K.) and 0.47 kg of a sensitizer (Kayacure DETX, produced by Nippon Kayaku Corporation) were dissolved in 102 kg of methyl ethyl ketone. To the solution thus prepared was then added 0.1 kg of a fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer (Megafac F780, produced by DAINIPPON INK AND CHEMICALS, INCORPORATED) to prepare a coating solution. The coating solution thus prepared was then continuously spread over the alignment film surface of the film which was being conveyed at a rate of 20 m/min using a #3.2 wire bar which was being rotated at 391 rpm in the same direction as the conveying direction of the film. Discotic Liquid Crystal Compound

The film was continuously heated from room temperature to 100° C. so that the solvent was dried up. Thereafter, the film was dried in a 130° C. drying zone for about 90 seconds such that the wind velocity on the surface of the discotic liquid crystal compound reached 2.5 m/sec to align the discotic liquid crystal compound. Subsequently, the film was conveyed to a 80° C. drying zone where it was then irradiated with ultraviolet rays having an illuminance of 600 mW from an ultraviolet radiator (ultraviolet lamp: output of 160 W/cm; emission wavelength: 1.6 m) for 4 seconds with the surface temperature of the film kept at about 100° C. so that the crosslinking reaction was allowed to proceed to fix the discotic liquid crystal compound thus aligned. Thereafter, the film was allowed to cool to room temperature where it was cylindrically wound up to form a roll. Thus, a rolled optically compensatory film was prepared.

The optically anisotropic layer was then measured for viscosity at a film surface temperature of 127° C. The result was 670 cp. For the measurement of viscosity of optically anisotropic layer, a liquid crystal layer having the same formulation as that of the optically anisotropic layer (excluding solvent) was measured by a heated E type viscometer.

The rolled optically compensatory film thus prepared was partly cut out to prepare a sample which was then measured for optical properties. Retardation value Re of the optically anisotropic layer measured at a wavelength of 546 nm was 32 nm. The angle (angle of inclination) of the disc surface of the discotic liquid crystal compound with respect to the surface of the support in the optically anisotropic layer showed a continuous change in the layer depth direction and was 260 on the average. Further, only the optically anisotropic layer was peeled off the sample. The optically anisotropic layer thus peeled was then measured for average direction of molecular symmetric axes. As a result, the average direction of molecular symmetric axes was 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the optically compensatory film.

(Mounting Evaluation on OCB Panel)

These cellulose acylate film samples were each then worked into a polarizing plate in the same manner as in Example 1.

<Mounting Evaluation on Liquid Crystal Display Device>

(Preparation of bend-aligned liquid crystal cell) A polyimide film was provided as an alignment film on a glass substrate with ITO electrode. The alignment film was subjected to rubbing. Two sheets of the glass substrates thus obtained were laminated on each other in such an arrangement that the rubbing direction of the two sheets are parallel to each other. The cell gap was predetermined to be 4.7 μm. Into the cell gap was then injected a liquid crystal compound having Δn of 0.1396 “ZLI1132” (produced by Melc Co., Ltd.) to prepare a bend-aligned liquid crystal cell.

Two sheets of the polarizing plates prepared above were laminated on each other with the aforementioned bend-aligned cell interposed therebetween. Arrangement was made such that the film thus formed was opposed to the cell substrate and the rubbing direction of the liquid crystal cell and the rubbing direction of the other optically anisotropic layer opposed to the liquid crystal cell were not parallel to each other.

A 55 Hz rectangular voltage was applied to the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell was of normally white mode attained by 2 V for white display and 5 V for black display. With the application of a voltage by which the front transmission is minimum, i.e., black voltage, the color developed as viewed at front ways and the color shift Δx developed as viewed at viewing angles in the direction of an azimuthal angle of 0° to 90° and a polar angle of 60° were then determined. Further, with the ambient humidity varied as set forth in Table 6, the color shift was determined. The results are set forth in Table 5 below. TABLE 5 Film Color shift thickness 25° C.- 25° C.- 25° C.- Film No. (μm) 60% 10% 80% Remarks 61 70 100 107 109 Inventive 62 110 100 157 163 Comparative 63 45 100 104 107 Inventive 64 85 100 1.44 153 Comparative Color shift is represented as tin change with humidity relative to tint at 25° C.-60% as 100. The color shift is preferably as close to 100 as possible even with the change of humidity.

As can be seen in Table 5, the preparation of the film according to the invention makes it possible to prepare a film showing little color shift with humidity also for OCB mode liquid crystal display device.

Example 7

To cellulose as a raw material was added sulfuric acid as a catalyst. To the mixture was then added a carboxylic anhydride as a raw material of acryl substituent. The mixture was then allowed to undergo acylation reaction. Thereafter, the mixture was subjected to neutralization, saponification and ripening to prepare a cellulose acylate. During this procedure, the amount of the catalyst, the kind and amount of the carboxylic anhydride, the added amount of water, the reaction temperature and the ripening temperature were adjusted to prepare cellulose acylates having different kinds of acyl group, substitution degrees, bulk specific gravities and polymerization degrees. These cellulose acylates were each washed with acetone to remove low molecular components.

Among the cellulose acylates thus prepared, those set forth in Table 6 below were processed in the following manner to prepare dopes.

100 parts by mass of cellulose acylate, 5 parts by mass of ethyl phthalyl ethyl glycolate, 3 parts by mass of triphenyl phosphate, 290 parts by mass of methylene chloride and 60 parts by mass of ethanol were put in a hermetically sealable vessel in which they were gradually heated to 80° C. with slow stirring in 60 minutes to make a solution. The pressure in the vessel reached 1.5 atm. The dope thus prepared was filtered through Azumi Filter Paper No. 244 (produced by Azumi Filter Paper Co., Ltd.), and then allowed to stand for 24 hours so that it was defoamed.

Separately, 5 parts by mass of the aforementioned cellulose acylate, 5 parts by mass of TINUVIN 109 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.), 15 parts by mass of TINUVIN 326 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.) and 0.5 parts by mass of AEROSIL R972V (produced by NIPPON AEROSIL CO., LTD.) were mixed with 94 parts by mass of methylene chloride and 8 parts by mass of ethanol. The mixture was then stirred to prepare an ultraviolet absorber solution. During this procedure, R972V was added in the form of dispersion in the aforementioned ethanol.

To 100 parts by mass of the aforementioned dope were then added 6 parts by mass of the aforementioned ultraviolet absorber solution. The mixture was then thoroughly stirred by a static mixer.

(Flow Casting)

The dopes thus prepared were each then subjected to flow casting and stretching in the same manner as in Example 5 to prepare cellulose acylate films having the thickness set forth in Table 6 below as Film Nos. 71 to 74, respectively.

The films thus prepared were each processed in the same manner as in Example 5 to prepare polarizing plates and liquid crystal display devices which were then evaluated for tint change under varying ambient humidity conditions. The results are set forth in Table 6 below.

The liquid crystal display devices according to the invention show little tint change also with humidity change and thus can remarkably enjoy the effect of the invention. TABLE 6 Ac Pr Bt Bz Film Color shift Film substitution substitution substitution substitution thickness 25° C.- 25° C.- 25° C.- No. degree degree degree degree (μm) 60% 10% 80% Remarks 71 2.00 0.75 0.00 0.00 70 100 108 107 Inventive 72 1.99 0.00 0.72 0.00 70 100 107 108 Inventive 73 2.01 0.00 0.00 0.73 70 100 109 109 Inventive 74 2.00 0.75 0.00 0.00 100  100 148 159 Comparative [Re(450)/ [Re(650)/ Rth(450)]/ Rth(650)]/ Film Re Re Re Rth Rth Rth Re(450)/ Re(650)/ [Re(550)/ [Re(550)/ No. (450) (550) (650) (450) (550) (650) Re(550) Re(550) Rth(550)] Rth(550)] 71 58 65 71 176 172 166 0.89 1.09 0.87 1.13 72 56 66 70 172 164 162 0.85 1.06 0.81 1.07 73 60 67 73 178 174 171 0.90 1.09 0.88 1.11 74 63 65 66 176 176 176 0.97 1.02 0.97 1.02 Color shift is represented as tin change with humidity relative to tint at 25° C.-60% as 100. The color shift is preferably as close to 100 as possible with the change of humidity.

The invention has been worked out on the basis of the knowledge obtained as a result of the inventors' extensive studies. In the invention, materials and production methods are properly selected to control the wavelength dispersion of in-plane retardation and thickness direction retardation of optical resin film independently of each other. Thus, optimum optical value of the optical resin film can be determined, allowing viewing angle compensation of liquid crystal cell, particularly of VA mode, in black state over all wavelength ranges. In particular, in the invention, the aforementioned effect can be remarkably exerted when the thickness of the optical resin film is predetermined to be from 30 μm to 80 μm.

As a result, the liquid crystal display device of the invention is subject to light leakage in oblique direction during black display and thus shows a remarkably enhanced viewing angle contrast. Further, the liquid crystal display device of the invention can inhibit light leakage in oblique direction during black display substantially over the visible light wavelength range and thus exhibits drastic reduction of color shift during black display dependent on viewing angle, which has heretofore been a problem to be solved. Accordingly, the invention can provide an optical resin film which exhibits a high contrast ratio over a wide range and can inhibit color shift and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device comprising same.

The entire disclosure of each and every foreign patent application from which the benefit of foreign priority has been claimed in the present application is incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth. 

1. An optical resin film, which has Re (λ) and Rth (λ) satisfying retardation requirements (A) to (D), and has a thickness of from 30 μm to 80 μm: (A) 0.1<Re (450)/Re (550)<0.95 (B) 1.03<Re (650)/Re (550)<1.93 (C) 0.4<(Re/Rth (450))/(Re/Rth (550)))<0.95 (D) 1.05<(Re/Rth (650)/(Re/Rth (550))<1.9 wherein Re (λ) represents an in-plane retardation value of the optical resin film with respect to light having a wavelength of λ nm; Rth (λ) represents a thickness direction retardation value of the optical resin film with respect to light having a wavelength of x nm; and Re/Rth (λ) represents a ratio of an in-plane retardation value to a thickness direction retardation value of the optical resin film with respect to light having a wavelength of λ nm (unit: nm).
 2. The optical resin film according to claim 1, which comprises a cellulose acylate film.
 3. The optical resin film according to claim 1, which comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of plasticizer, ultraviolet absorber, peel accelerator, dye and matting agent.
 4. The optical resin film according to claim 1, which comprises at least one retardation developer comprising a rod-shaped compound or a discotic compound.
 5. A polarizing plate comprising: a polarizer having a polyvinyl alcohol; and at least two protective films provided on both sides of the polarizer, wherein at least one of the at least two protective films is an optical resin film according to claim
 1. 6. The polarizing plate according to claim 5, which further comprises at least one layer selected from the group consisting of a hard coat layer, an anti-glare layer and an anti-reflection layer provided on a surface of one of the at least two protective films.
 7. The polarizing plate according to claim 5, which further comprises an optically anisotropic layer provided on at least one of the at least two protective films.
 8. A liquid crystal display device comprising a polarizing plate according to claim
 5. 